Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): A female football player, who after making her mark at the highest level is now training youth among whom many have represented Jammu and Kashmir at the national level.
Suhaira Ashraf, a resident of Qamarwari Srinagar, has opened a football academy in Srinagar and is training young boys and girls interested in football.
While talking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Suhaira said that earlier she wasn’t interested in football, however, while watching others playing in a nearby ground she slowly developed an interest in the game.
"I went to Bandhra where I learned football and represented J&K at various platforms. I become state champion twice in my carrier besides winning one gold and two silver medals at the national level," she said.
Suhaira said though she got a job in the state football academy and could have lived a comfortable life, she resigned and started giving training to young boys and girls aspiring to become football players.
"I have trained hundreds of players and several of them have represented J&K at various levels," she said.
Suhaira said that Kashmir being a very disturbed area, there is a need to engage local youth in sports activities so that they won't get involved in drug addiction.
"Even if we can involve drug addicts in sports activities it can help them more than medication to get out of addiction," she said.
Suhaira said her family has always supported her and likewise, all parent should give a chance to their children to prove their mettle in whatever field they are interested in.
"My message to the youth of J&K is to follow your dreams, fight and struggle for your dreams and your hard work and consistency will one day lead you to your goal," she said—(KNO)