Remember the Kashmiri girl from the viral stone-pelting pic? She's now a celebrated footballer
Remember Afshan Ashiq, the Kashmiri girl who catapulted into the limelight as a picture of her pelting stones went viral? She put the fame to good use by encouraging women to join her in organising a full-fledged football team in the state, of which is now captain.
The 23-year-old is also a part of a football club in Mumbai, and her life story has also inspired a Bollywood biopic. The captain-cum-goalkeeper of the Jammu and Kashmir women's football team recently met with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with her coach Satpal Singh Kala and manager Tsering Angmo, and requested him to arrange the necessary resources and financial aid to start a Sports Authority of India Institute in Kashmir, which would help young girls from the state to train and play the sport.
Speaking with Times of India, Afshan said that the state government has already helped with equipment and resources, which has helped her form a complete team. She said,
"I was impressed by how patiently a Union minister heard the issues raised by us. We sought better sports infrastructure in J&K. The home minister called up J&K CM in front of us and told her to meet us when we get back to Srinagar.
While I have joined a Mumbai football club to pursue my dream to be a national-level player, it is my honour to also captain the J&K women's football team."
Despite the struggles she had to face, Afshan remains strong in her resolve, commitment and dream, which is play for India some day.
Here's which her luck and more power!
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