Pakistan women are making a splash
PUNE: Kiran Khan and Sana Wahi made a splash at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, breaking the shackles of orthodoxy, to become Pakistan's first two female swimmers to have travelled overseas and participate in international competition.
Six years after that symbolic event, swimming still isn't the easiest sport to participate in, especially for women. Unless, of course, one is lucky to be born in an educated family that has a liberal outlook.
In a country, where any show of skin can be denounced quickly and repercussions for women are harsh, the fairer sex thinks twice before letting their hair down, even if they are all suited and booted and not in a bikini.
Men are not allowed to watch women swim in Pakistan. An all-women organising committee conducts swimming events for women. Pakistani girls, who participate abroad must at all times where a full-length body suit.
Now, Pakistan is all set to host the First Islamic Solidarity Women's Swimming Championship in Karachi. Things are looking up for swimmers like Aqsa Tariq and Hoor Asrar, in Pune for the Commonwealth Youth Games.
"As long as we get to swim we don't mind the strict restrictions," Aqsa said, revealing her passion for the sport. But not every girl in Pakistan is as lucky as this duo. "Swimming is an elite sport and not everyone has easy access to facilities," Aqsa added.
Shahbaz Khan, younger brother of trend-setter Kiran supports Aqsa's statement. "When my sister started swimming she didn't face any problem as my father was an international swimmer. She was lucky to be the daughter of someone who loved the sport. Otherwise, I really can't say how much encouragement she would have got," Shahbaz, who will participate in five events, said.
Aqsa said full-length body suits were a blessing. "Some senior swimmers, all men, had the some issues with us competing at international events earlier. But the full-length suits helped us convince government officials that we should be sent abroad," Aqsa said.
Mohammad Zafar, the manager of Pakistan's swimming contingent, feels that women's swimming has made strides back home. "Girls and women have been competing in the National championships over the years. It's a fine line between upholding our culture and tradition and moving ahead with the times," Zafar said.
Kiran, Sana and then Rubab Raza, Pakistan's first female swimmer to participate at the Olympics (Athens 2004), remain an inspiration for girls wanting to take up the sport in Pakistan.
"When I started off there were not many girls who took to the sport. Now, slowly but surely, the sport is growing. Girls are training hard and want to represent the country," 18-year-old Aqsa said.
PUNE: Kiran Khan and Sana Wahi made a splash at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, breaking the shackles of orthodoxy, to become Pakistan's first two female swimmers to have travelled overseas and participate in international competition.
Six years after that symbolic event, swimming still isn't the easiest sport to participate in, especially for women. Unless, of course, one is lucky to be born in an educated family that has a liberal outlook.
In a country, where any show of skin can be denounced quickly and repercussions for women are harsh, the fairer sex thinks twice before letting their hair down, even if they are all suited and booted and not in a bikini.
Men are not allowed to watch women swim in Pakistan. An all-women organising committee conducts swimming events for women. Pakistani girls, who participate abroad must at all times where a full-length body suit.
Now, Pakistan is all set to host the First Islamic Solidarity Women's Swimming Championship in Karachi. Things are looking up for swimmers like Aqsa Tariq and Hoor Asrar, in Pune for the Commonwealth Youth Games.
"As long as we get to swim we don't mind the strict restrictions," Aqsa said, revealing her passion for the sport. But not every girl in Pakistan is as lucky as this duo. "Swimming is an elite sport and not everyone has easy access to facilities," Aqsa added.
Shahbaz Khan, younger brother of trend-setter Kiran supports Aqsa's statement. "When my sister started swimming she didn't face any problem as my father was an international swimmer. She was lucky to be the daughter of someone who loved the sport. Otherwise, I really can't say how much encouragement she would have got," Shahbaz, who will participate in five events, said.
Aqsa said full-length body suits were a blessing. "Some senior swimmers, all men, had the some issues with us competing at international events earlier. But the full-length suits helped us convince government officials that we should be sent abroad," Aqsa said.
Mohammad Zafar, the manager of Pakistan's swimming contingent, feels that women's swimming has made strides back home. "Girls and women have been competing in the National championships over the years. It's a fine line between upholding our culture and tradition and moving ahead with the times," Zafar said.
Kiran, Sana and then Rubab Raza, Pakistan's first female swimmer to participate at the Olympics (Athens 2004), remain an inspiration for girls wanting to take up the sport in Pakistan.
"When I started off there were not many girls who took to the sport. Now, slowly but surely, the sport is growing. Girls are training hard and want to represent the country," 18-year-old Aqsa said.
Comments