Pakistani footballer Karishma featured on Forbes '30 under 30' list

21-year old is the first girl from Chitral to play football at national and international level

PESHAWAR: Pakistani footballer Karishma Ali is among five Pakistanis who have made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 list.

Members of the list are chosen for ‘innovating in technology and disrupting age-old industries to demonstrating immense talent and dominating the world stage, this group of young stars shines in more ways than one’according to Forbes.

Karishma, a footballer hailing from Chitral has been selected for promoting sports on local level. 21-year old Karishma is the first girl from Chitral to have played football at a national and international level. She has represented Pakistan at the Jubilee Games in Dubai, and her team was the first women's team from Pakistan to participate in the AFL International Cup.

Karishma is also the founder of the Chitral Women's Sports Club. Opened last year in Chitral, the club is training 60 girls in football and other sports, encouraging participation in sports in the process.

Speaking to Express Tribune Karishma Ali Khan said: “I am the first woman to have played football from Chitral on national and international level, and opened a club for promotion of sports in Chitral.”

Speaking about getting featured on Forbes’ list Karishma said it is a source of immense pride for the region and all of Pakistan.

Although she started playing professional football from age 15, she had passion for the game since childhood. She is also acquiring education and is studying for bachelors in business management from University of London.

Karishma said her mission is to encourage women to take interest in sports. She believes women can prove their skills to society by engaging in healthy activities.