Dutch Ambassador Henny de Vries hosted a distinguished reception on Tuesday in Islamabad to celebrate the achievements of Pakistani women in sports.
The event highlighted the visit of Dutch-Pakistani footballer Kayanat Bokhari to Pakistan, aiming to spotlight female athletes and promote gender equality.
Ambassador de Vries, addressing the gathered guests, expressed her delight in celebrating the exceptional talent and dedication of women in sports.
She extended congratulations to Bokhari and the Women Legacy team, who recently earned the runners-up position at the National Women’s Championship.
In collaboration with Football Factory, Right to Play, and Interloop, the Netherlands embassy organized a series of activities to support women in sports. The ambassador acknowledged the numerous challenges women face in athletics, including discrimination and limited funding, but praised their perseverance and achievements.
Bokhari, who has been playing with the Women Legacy Football Club in Islamabad for the past month, reflected on her journey.
She recounted her initial meeting with Ambassador de Vries in January and the subsequent opportunity that arose through the Football Factory. Despite initial uncertainties, Bokhari’s participation in the team culminated in a successful tournament experience.
Bokhari, who represents the Pakistan national team and Football Factory, expressed pride in the team’s efforts and achievements.
She emphasized the significance of the support and investment received from the Netherlands, acknowledging the impact on the players’ motivation and performance.
“I just want to say I am super proud of each and every girl standing here because you all worked so hard, and our coaches who made all of this happen. For some of the girls it was their first tournament and that makes all this support, investment and belief in us so incredible.” Bokhari said.
Women Legacy Football Club’s captain, Malika-i-Noor, conveyed gratitude to the embassy, noting the special recognition for their hard work and progress.
”Eight months ago, I was looking for a place to train and came to Football Factory and now it feels unbelievable that in just eight months, we`ve become the runners-up of the national championship. Not only do I have a club where the training meets the standards of modern football, but I also have teammates who are like little sisters to me. The support we`re receiving from the Netherlands means a lot to us.” Malika remarked.
She celebrated the club’s swift ascent to becoming national championship runners-up and highlighted the value of international support in fostering sports diplomacy and camaraderie.
