Five young girls from Lyari have shocked the football community by traveling to Qatar to train at the famous Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Academy.
The young football players, Syeda Umme Zunaira Shah, Muqaddas Abdul Rasheed, Saiqa Faisal, Javeria Ejaz, and Marium Zehri were selected through competitive trials held by the Kiran Foundation.
Training in Qatar introduced the players to a whole new level of football.
With top-notch pitches and well-organised coaching sessions, the experience highlighted the differences between local systems and international standards.
“Every training drill had a purpose,” Muqaddas states. “The game was quicker, smarter, and required more mental effort.”
Five young Lyari girls challenge stereotypes in the football world
For Syeda Umme Zunaira Shah, her football journey started almost ten years ago, fueled by a desire to break stereotypes.
“I began playing football in 2016 when I was just 11,” she shares. “In Lyari, football is everywhere. Watching boys play in the streets motivated me to show that girls can play just as well.”
Like many female athletes in Pakistan, Zunaira faced social backlash and ongoing questions about why a girl would choose football over more acceptable options.
“My parents became my greatest support,” she explains. “They always encouraged me to stay focused on my dream.”
That support was crucial when the chance to train with the PSG Academy came through the Kiran Foundation.
The coaches assessed players based on technical skills, discipline, consistency, and tactical knowledge before choosing the final group.
Zunaira opened up about the recent selection saying, “When I found out I had been selected, I couldn’t believe it. Going from the streets of Lyari to an international football academy felt so unreal.”
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