Zulfia Nazir scores 10 goals on debut for Karachi United

Karachi: Zulfia Nazir on Tuesday scored 10 goals on her debut for Karachi United in a match against Karachi Women FC during the ongoing National Women Football Championship.

The 22-year-old signed up with Karachi United for a complete season this year after a brief stint with Punjab’s side last season.

“It is good to be back on football field after a long gap,” she said in an exclusive interview to Geo Super. “I’ve returned for a full season after a long time and looking forward to do well in this tournament.”

Zulfia said that it was exciting to see new teams and new players in the cycle, terming it a “very good sign” for development of women football.

“There are 20 teams participating this year and girls are coming from cities like Sialkot, Quetta and other areas which is a very encouraging sign for women football,” she said. “If it stays like this then I am sure one day Pakistan women team will rise to where it should.”

The young midfielder, who had represented Pakistan in many international matches, was once dubbed as a great prospect for the national women football team. However, the player had to move to Dubai later after football activities in the country became hostage to power-tussle between various groups in Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

Zulfia then started a career as fitness trainer in Dubai and continued to keep Pakistan’s flag high by winning medals in various power-lifting championships.

However, football remained her priority. In United Arab Emirates, she played for Royal Eagles Women FC to keep herself close to the sport.

“Football is my passion, even in Dubai on sidelines of my professional duties I keep myself busy with the sport and my training so that I can keep myself ready to be on field any time,” she said.

The player, who hails from Gilgit Baltistan, said that the region has produced many great talented athletes for Pakistan and government must invest in sports the way it is doing for tourism in the valley.

“Girls from Gilgit are doing well in all sports, from mountaineering to cricket and from cycling to football. We have example of Samina Baig, Diana Baig and many others. Even in the recent national camp, there were 15 girls from the region,” Zulfia mentioned.

“It’s high time government start investing in Gilgit Baltistan’s sports development, especially football. They must take interest in developing sports there just like they are doing for tourism,” she demanded. 

Read: No Covid-19 testing for National Women Football Championship

Comments

Submit