Despite odds, these college girls are pitching for cricket

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 20

At the vast manicured playground of Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, a group of girls in yellow and blue jerseys and trousers practise every day. But once they step out of their college, they make sure to change into their college uniform -- white ‘kameez salwar’ -- and look like normal students.

The 11 girls, who are pursuing graduation, are part of the college cricket team and are driven by their passion for the game. Most of them say that to play cricket was a tough decision as they continue to face family and social pressures. They say that in the conservative Kashmiri society, cricket is considered a game only for men.

Irfana Ahad, 21, a resident of Srinagar outskirts, started playing cricket since her childhood. She has played two nationals and a number of state tournaments. But she says she has always had to face sarcastic remarks just because she is a girl and plays cricket.

“My brother has always been against playing cricket. For a girl in Kashmir, to play cricket is not an easy choice. I have had to fight for it all through,” says Irfana while practising.

Irfana says that girls are ready to struggle with the minimum facilities but the lack of family support forces many of them to give up.

Irfana’s teammate Saba, 19, an aspiring bowler, started playing when she was in Class XI.

“I always wanted to play but there was no right platform to start from. I played cricket in school but I have started training professionally here at the college,” says Sabreen who lives in Gulab Bagh, Srinagar.

The cricket team at Government College for Women, Srinagar, which is the largest institution of higher education in the Valley and has 7,000 girls on its roll, has won three inter-college tournaments. Another tournament at the college is set to start on July 25.

The girls dream of being making it big in cricket but everyday struggles are sometimes discouraging.

“I think we can make our future in cricket. I see girls playing and I am inspired by them. In Kashmir also, a few girls have made their name in sports despite challenges,” says Saba, who is a second-year arts student at the college.

The cricketers say that they always make it a point to change into their college uniform before leaving the campus as they do not want to be a target of sarcastic remarks.

“When anyone sees us in jerseys and trousers, they pass negative comments. We always change into our uniform before leaving the college so that we don’t get noticed as people here are conservative,” says Rahila, another cricket player.

Trainer of the team Mehta Singh says that it is a daily challenge for him to convince the parents of the girls. “When there is a national tournament, I have to hold discussions with their parents and convince them to allow them to play. Some girls play well so we don’t want their talent to go waste,” he says.

Fighting spirit  

My brother has always been against playing cricket. For a girl in Kashmir, playing cricket is not an easy choice. I have had to fight for it all through. — Irfana, a cricketer

When there is a national tournament, I have to hold discussions with their parents and convince them to allow them to play. Some girls play well and we don't want their talent to go waste. — Mehta Singh, trainer of the team