Sportswoman’s Japan trip thwarted by curfew
Diana Baig missed the opportunity to accompany the Pakistan Women’s Team A for a tour to Japan.
Her passion of becoming the first ever female cricket player from G-B was shattered due to the imposition of section 144 in G-B after more than 20 people were killed in the recent spate of sectarian violence in the region.
The 17-year-old sportswoman failed to reach Islamabad in time while the rest of her teammates departed for Japan where a Twenty20 series is scheduled to be held.
“I had to reach Islamabad by April 13but that was not possible because of the curfew,” Baig told The Express Tribune.
By the time I managed to reach Islamabad, the rest of the team had departed for Japan, she said, adding that she was really hurt for not being able to avail an opportunity that could improve the image of her violence-struck region.
“To be selected for the A team meant a lot for my family, school and the region,” she said. She claims she is confident that she will make it the next time and has not lost hope.
Baig claims she is an all-rounder but bowling is her area of expertise. She says that Umar Gul is her favourite bowler in the national men’s team.
She is a student of the 10th grade at the Public School and College (PSC) Juital, Gilgit and belongs to Gojal valley. Her father, Safiullah, is a contractor.
Baig is also good in her education. According to her teacher, Mujahid Ali Shah, she achieved 64% marks in her 9th grade federal board examinations. According to the PSC administration, Baig was recently selected by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for Pakistan Women’s Team A.
“Diana is an active sportswoman and a brilliant student at the school,” Shah said. Baig gives credit for her education and sporting skills to the administration of PSC, especially the principal, who always supported her dream of becoming the first female cricketer from G-B.
Manzoor, another teacher, said that when she got a call from PCB to come to Islamabad, life in G-B was paralysed due to the curfew. Then, her principal, Lt Colonel Javed Aslam, took the initiative to drop her in Jaglote, some 60 kilometres from Gilgit, from where she headed to Islamabad by road. Unfortunately, she was unable to reach in time.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732569774-0/Baymax-(2)1732569774-0-165x106.webp "article")
It this very sad. Because of the politicians she missed her chance to take part in a sports event. what is this country coming to? the local government should have helped her. she has worked hard for many years to get to where she is today. I would request to the reporter to pls provide her contact details if they can. thank you.
I feel very sad for her not being able to join her team. But it is great to know she has competed at national level. keep it up, you will make it next time!
come on...she should have given exception to go to the airport...stupid security agencies!
why couldnt the management put her on the next flight out to japan? how difficult was that? not her fault that she arrived late. dont they have a force majeure clause for these occurrences? they need to have these now... considering everything going on here!
negativism about country and idea that victory is an individual achievement of a victor rather than national is often an offspring of such consequences.
wish you all the best for the future, lady. just keep persistent in determination ...