- Saudi Premier League’s Eastern Flames FC signs Pakistan women’s team captain Maria Khan for upcoming season of Saudi Women’s Premier League.
- Despite challenges, Pakistan’s women’s football team is striving to establish itself in a cricket-dominated country. Women’s football in Pakistan sees a three-fold increase after overcoming internal conflicts and participation in international tournaments.
- Maria Khan’s captaincy leads to victories and an unprecedented ten matches played in a single calendar year. Her signing reflects optimism for Pakistani sportswomen and the potential often overlooked.
Saudi Premier League football club, Eastern Flames FC signed Pakistan women’s team captain Maria Khan. The announcement was made on Friday for the upcoming season of the Saudi Women’s Premier League.
تنضم ماريا خان الى صفوف نادي شعلة الشرقية 🔥
تعاقد إدارة النادي مع اول المحترفات الاجانب ، لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الاول لكرة القدم سيدات في الدوري الممتاز للسيدات لهذا الموسم 🔥
ماريا خان هي كابتن المنتخب الباكستاني 🇵🇰#ماريا_خان#شعلة_الشرقية #فخر_الشرقية #كرة_القدم_النسائية pic.twitter.com/yrEpHyUmaR
— نادي شعلة الشرقية Eastern Flames FC (@EasternFlamesFC) August 11, 2023
Empowering Pakistani Women Through Football
The Pakistan women’s football team has been striving to make its mark in a country where football traditionally takes a back seat to sports like cricket. Despite challenges and limited resources, these dedicated athletes have been working to promote and develop women’s football in Pakistan.
Women’s football in the country has increased by three folds after a period of dormancy caused by some internal conflicts. The comeback by Pakistan’s women’s team was made last year when the female footballers participated in the SAFF Women Championship held in Kathmandu.
The team’s participation in international tournaments, such as the SAFF Women Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal, and the four-nation event in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, signifies a positive step forward. These appearances not only allow Pakistani women to showcase their skills on an international stage but also highlight the potential that women’s football holds in the country.
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Captain Maria Khan Led the Pakistani Team to Unprecedented Victories
Maria Khan took the helm of captaincy and led the team to victories, the team was also able to compete in an unprecedented ten matches within a single calendar year – a feat that had been achieved by the team for the first time ever.
Upon confirming her signing, Maria expressed optimism about her collaboration with an international club, foreseeing a horizon of increased prospects for Pakistani sportswomen
“I hope this starts to create opportunities for Pakistani athletes and the talent that a lot of times goes unnoticed.”
The midfielder seized the spotlight earlier this year, making a remarkable impact with a sensational free-kick goal that equalised the game against the host nation, Saudi Arabia, during a four-nation tournament in the country. This notable feat garnered widespread attention and admiration and has now led to this contract.
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Eastern Flames FC’s roster boasts an eclectic composition, featuring players hailing from Colombia, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, further underscoring its global inclusivity. The club’s performance was dismal in last year’s Saudi Premier League’s season where they secured two wins out of 14 games.
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