Netball teams to show-off skills at the beach

Inter-regional event to be held at Karachi’s Seaview.

KARACHI: Female players will show-off their skills at Seaview in Karachi when the Inter-Regional Sindh Beach Netball Championship starts on June 14, with organisers hoping that holding the event in front of the public will send a strong message to the masses.

However, Qudsia Raja, coach of the Sindh team, admitted that an all-girls event at a public beach was risky but it was being held after consulting parents and after getting security assurances from the Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF).

The tournament, which will feature five teams representing different Karachi zones, will also help in short-listing players for the provincial side ahead of the national championship that is scheduled to take place in July.

“In Pakistan, the biggest challenge is to overcome religious elements and the tradition that women should not take part in sporting activities,” Raja told The Express Tribune.

“I’m part of the organising committee for the beach netball tournament and I’ve received threats. For girls, it’s a challenge but also a cause. Too many traditional restrictions are hindering female sporting activities in Pakistan. This beach netball event is just a step towards making the sport popular and encouraging women to come out and take part.”

Raja added that despite netball being more popular among girls, the PNF was inclined towards favouring their male counterparts. “Women players often pulled out of national camps because of family issues. But holding an event like this is going to promote the game and make people understand that sport is an essential part of a healthy society.”

Meanwhile, PNF Secretary Muadassir Arain echoed Raja’s views, adding that while security is the ‘biggest concern’, the federation will go all-out in making sure the event is held in a safe environment. The official added that the event is also going to help prepare the squad for the Asian Beach Games that take place in Sri Lanka in August.

Sri Lanka coach to be hired

Arain added that both teams, to be selected after the national championships, will be trained by a Sri Lankan.

“We are hiring a Sri Lankan coach who will join us in July,” said Arain. “The Sri Lankans are the Asian champions and their federation is sending one of its national coaches to Pakistan. We are bearing the airfare, boarding and lodging costs because I believe our men’s team has the potential to win a gold medal at the Asian Beach Championship.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2012.