Sports Pioneer and Soccer Player Madiha Naz Jakhro Reflects on Why Play is Just as Important as Work
By: Naisha Roy
“I am part of a community where girls traditionally live lives defined by boundaries. Now my aim is to encourage more generations of amazing children. I need to empower every girl in my community.” Today’s dreamer is Madiha Naz Jakhro, Pakistan’s FIFA World Cup representative and a trailblazer for girls’ right to play sports in her country. While maintaining an incredibly successful football career, she also founded the Al-Mehran Women Academy in Thatta, Pakistan. She hopes to pioneer a culture where sports are inculcated in women at a young age, and the academy is a stepping stone towards that. She’s also the head coach at Right to Play, an organization that emphasizes the importance of sports and play in childhood development. Read her take on why playing sports is about more than just the game!
Your own journey in sports has been very successful, representing Pakistan in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. How did you start playing football, and when did you decide it was what you wanted to pursue as a career?
Yes, it was very successful for me because I am from a rural area where girls are not educated. It was a big success for me, even in my district. I got the title as the first women representative of Pakistan in FIFA world cup Qatar. Most professional football players start playing the sport at a young age, often in organized youth leagues or through informal games with friends and family. They develop their skills and passion for the game over years of practice and competition. Many players have a strong interest in football from childhood, and their dedication and talent lead them to pursue it more seriously as they get older. The decision to pursue football as a career typically occurs in the late teens or early twenties. At this stage, talented players may receive offers from college or university football programs, which can be a significant stepping stone toward a professional career or explore opportunities in other football leagues around the world. Ultimately, the decision to pursue a football career is a combination of talent, dedication, opportunities, and personal passion for the sport. It often involves a significant commitment to training, competition, and overcoming challenges along the way.
2. You are the founder of the first women's football club in Thatta, known as the Al Mehran Girls Football Club. Why is it important to you to help empower young women to follow their dreams in pursuing sports, and how will this initiative help you reach that goal?
The initiative helped me to empower young women to follow their dreams in pursuing sports. Sports provide opportunities for women to excel, gain confidence, and challenge traditional gender roles. They help women build strength, endurance, and resilience, both physically and mentally. Personal development sports teach important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, and time management. These skills are valuable not only in sports, but also in various aspects of life.
When young girls see successful women athletes, they are inspired to dream big and believe in themselves. Female athletes can serve as role models who break barriers and prove that women can achieve greatness in sports. Initiatives like the Al Mehran Girls Football Club create a supportive environment where young women can connect, learn, and grow together. Empowerment participation in sports empowers women by giving them a platform to express themselves, make decisions and take control of their lives.
The Al Mehran Girls Football Club, if it exists, would likely help empower young women by providing them with opportunities to participate in sports, receive coaching and training, and compete in a supportive and inclusive environment. It can also raise awareness about women's participation in traditionally male-dominated sports, challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equality. Through such initiatives, young women can gain the confidence and skills they need to pursue their dreams, whether in sports or other areas of life.
3. As a woman in the sports industry, it can often be difficult to overcome stereotypes and other stigmas. Did you face any backlash or obstacles when pursuing your football career, and how did you overcome them?
I am part of a community where girls traditionally live lives defined by boundaries. Most of the girls from remote areas have no access to primary education. Girls are not allowed to go outside of the home unless there is a necessity. Growing up in this environment, I was luckier than many. My father encouraged her to go to school, where I was an excellent student, and he practiced football with me at home. Those practices sparked a love of the game. But, unlike boys, I didn't have a chance to develop my skills outside the home. Initially I was reluctant to participate, because girls playing sports was an unusual thing in our society. I never thought to play any sport as it was against the norms of our society. But when I started taking part in games, I felt more positive, and I became more confident.
At the start, I only had three girls. I got a lot of negativity and pressure from people in the community, even within my own family. I was 20 years old at the time and people were starting to harass me. They were messaging me from unknown numbers inquiring about whether I’ll come to the ground that day and I realized people were watching me. Some people just walked up to me and threatened me outright to stop going to the ground and taking girls there. They said there was no need for girls to be involved in such things. I started feeling very unsafe. I had the support of male friends and the other ambassadors and coaches, so I continued going to the ground. I had in my mind that I must face this, otherwise people will be successful in scaring me back inside my home. I chose to ignore them and continue my work. My biggest challenge then was figuring out how to get girls on the football pitch safely and with parental buy-in. I went to their homes and convinced their parents that it’s not just about playing football, but rather the mental and physical benefits.
4. Tell me about your badminton training initiative in Thatta City. Why is being an ambassador for this program important to you?
As an Youth Ambassador of Pakistan, I am passionate about promoting gender equality and empowering the youth. I believe in the transformative power of sports in building confidence, leadership skills, and personal growth. By providing access to training, mentorship, and support networks, we aim to create a nurturing environment for girls and young women to excel in sports and in life, breaking social and cultural constraints.
Being an ambassador for a program, especially one focused on important social or humanitarian causes, can be important to individuals for several reasons. They often have a strong passion for the program's mission and a genuine belief in its goals. They are motivated by a desire to make a positive impact in areas they care deeply about. Ultimately, being an ambassador for a program is a way for individuals to align their values with their actions, contribute to positive change, and be part of a collective effort to address important issues. It allows them to use their voice and influence for the betterment of society and the causes they believe in.
5. Do you have any stories about your time on the field that could be inspirational to young girls also wanting to pursue a career in sports?
I have so many stories because mostly I spend my time with community girls and children. They all want to do something in the future, they are passionate about their dreams. When I visit my academy, girls say they want to be a future Madiha. It was really special for me when girls are inspired by my personality.