KARACHI: Five young female footballers from Karachi’s football-loving neighbourhood of Lyari have earned international recognition after being selected to train at the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Academy in Qatar, highlighting growing opportunities for women in Pakistan’s football landscape.
Selected through competitive trials organized by the Kiran Foundation, Syeda Umme Zunaira Shah, Muqaddas Abdul Rasheed, Saiqa Faisal, Javeria Ejaz and Marium Zehri travelled to Qatar for advanced football training, becoming role models for aspiring female athletes in their community.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for women’s football in Lyari, an area long known for its passion for the sport but traditionally dominated by male players.
From Lyari’s streets to an international academy
For many of the players, football began in Lyari’s streets, where informal matches and community grounds have produced generations of talented footballers.
Twenty-year-old Syeda Umme Zunaira Shah said she started playing football at the age of 11 and faced social challenges as she pursued a sport often viewed as a male domain.
The players were selected following evaluations of their technical ability, discipline, consistency and tactical understanding. Their training in Qatar exposed them to professional coaching methods, structured development programs and international playing standards.
International exposure broadens horizons
The players described the experience as an opportunity to learn about fitness, nutrition, tactical awareness and the mental aspects of modern football.
Training sessions at the PSG Academy introduced them to higher-performance environments and provided insights into the demands of professional football.
Several players said the experience strengthened their determination to pursue their sporting ambitions while encouraging other girls to participate in football.
Kiran Foundation promotes youth development through sports
The initiative was facilitated by the Kiran Foundation in collaboration with SHK Sports, an execution partner of PSG Academy.
According to foundation representatives, the program aims to create educational and sporting opportunities for young people from underserved communities while promoting confidence, leadership and personal development.
Coaches involved in the program said Pakistani female footballers possess considerable talent but require improved facilities, regular competitions and greater international exposure to reach their full potential.
Inspiring the next generation
The success of the five players has been widely viewed as an encouraging example for young girls interested in sports.
Supporters and community leaders say their achievement demonstrates how access to opportunities, family support and structured training can help young athletes overcome social and economic barriers.
As women’s football continues to grow in Pakistan, the journey of these five players from Lyari reflects the increasing participation of girls in the sport and the expanding opportunities available to talented athletes across the country.
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