Sportswoman’s Japan trip thwarted by curfew
Despite efforts, Diana was unable to reach Islamabad in time for her flight.
GILGIT:
A budding sportswoman’s dream of playing big in Japan was shattered as she missed her flight to Tokyo because of curfew in Gilgit.
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.
A budding sportswoman’s dream of playing big in Japan was shattered as she missed her flight to Tokyo because of curfew in Gilgit.
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.