GILGIT: Hunza Women’s Premier League 2024 concluded at Karimabad polo ground in Hunza on Sunday.

As many as 10 women football teams from the districts of Hunza, Gilgit and Ghizer with more than 120 athletes participated in the competition.

IGH FC Karimabad clinched the title by defeating Avenger Women’s FC Gilgit after a nail-biting penalty shootout in the final match of the third edition of the Premier League.

The Avengers put up a fierce competition, but IGH FC’s determination and skill ultimately paid off. Rahima scored the crucial penalty shot, securing the win for her team.

The event was attended by representatives from the Hunza Chamber of Commerce, government officials, women entrepreneurs, people from civil society organisations, fans and a large number of locals.

The final match drew a massive crowd of enthusiastic spectators with women making up the majority of the audience.

According to the organisers, this year’s Premier League set a new benchmark for sport events in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Launched in 2022, the Premier League has made tremendous strides in promoting women’s football in Gilgit-Baltistan. This year’s tournament featured 10 teams from different districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, showcasing the growing interest and talent in women’s football across the region.

Hunza Women’s Premier League President Nida Baig said: “We’re thrilled to provide a platform for talented female athletes to shine and bring our community together.”

Highlighting the achievements and vision of the league, she said: “Today, we celebrate not just a victory, but a movement. The

Premier League has become a beacon of hope for women’s football in Gilgit-Baltistan. We’ve seen participation grow from six teams in 2022 to 10 this year with over 200 women players registered,” she said, adding, “Our key focus areas include talent identification and development, infrastructure development for women’s sports, community engagement and outreach, empowering women through sports and education”.

Addressing the concluding ceremony, Assistant Commissioner Hunza Talha Asad praised the Hunza Women’s Premier League as a groundbreaking initiative to empower women in sports.

He promised the district administration’s continued support for such events. He said they were committed to providing a conducive environment for women to excel in sports and beyond.

“This victory is not just for IGH FC Karimabad, but for the entire women’s football community in Hunza,” said the team’s captain, adding, “We are proud to inspire young girls and women to take up sports and pursue their passions.”

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2024