By: Sajid Yousuf, Senior Reporter, ICN-J&K
SRINAGAR: How many kids you know play rugby? Not too many, for sure. While the sport may not be as popular in the country as cricket is, for Srinagar’s Irtiqa Ayoub, it means freedom—to be who she is and to prove that girls can play whichever sport they choose to. “A few years ago, I had no idea what rugby was, or even what the ball looked like. It was only when our coach in school encouraged me to try it out that I found I loved the game,” she remembers. While she was always interested in sports—she loved playing football in the narrow alleys of her town— Ayoub was reluctant to try rugby. As is with many teenagers and sports, once she did try it, there was no looking back.
She was 16 when she started playing rugby, and now, she trains young girls and boys in the sport. The journey came with its own battles. “To begin with, my father wasn’t very supportive of me playing rugby. To add fuel to the fire, people would talk. They would pass comments whenever I went to practice,” says Ayoub. The perception, and the comments that came with those very perceptions, changed when she started winning medals at the state and district levels. With a silver medal for Rugby 7’s in 2016 and 2017, and a gold medal for snow Rugby in 2017, her achievements were significantly highlighted in the media. So determined was the tenacious Ayoub that nothing could stop her, not even the broken nose she once came home with after a particularly rough match. Even after being so successful, Ayoub finds that people still talk, going to the extent of saying that she only plays for the media attention. The positive change she, however, prefers to look at is that her father has finally understood her passion for the sport and now has her back.
New Zealand’s national rugby union team, the All Blacks, is Ayoub’s favourite. She says, given the chance, she would love to train with the team. A few years ago, she had the opportunity to play for India, but she had to let it go, because at that time, she had no support from her family. The only thing she thinks is needed for the sport is support. “There is a lot of rugby talent in Kashmir; all we need is for our families and the government back us. It’s extremely important for parents to not only allow, but also encourage their children, especially girls, to play whichever sport they choose to play.”
Today, Ayoub stands tall as a glowing example of those girls who, when given the freedom to pursue their dreams and passions, can overcome any challenge. Ayoub now runs a club where she trains girls to make it to the nationals, and nurses the dream to represent India one day. It’s not going to be easy, given the political climate in the state, the general lack of encouragement, and inadequate resources, but the determined coach hopes to make rugby a popular sport that youngsters would want to take up in the state. I want to learn more. I believe there is a lot scope and talent in Kashmir. I have been in coaching for about last 2 year and started to reach schools, colleges and tuitions for activities of rugby sports. I believe we Kashmiri’s have a good amount of talent in every sports and activities we just need to believe our self and work hard for the better outcome. I need all girls to feel free and join any sports they want to earn and learn. My Family believes in me and my dad is my inspiration. I think critics is a big part of everyone’s journey it keeps you more motivated towards the goal. I love the enthusiasm and the dedication of each and every player on the field and off the field. We went for several national games and state games in which I performed very well and was appreciated with medals (gold and silver) I became a known face to the locals. I gained my name in the rugby very well. Kashmiri girls have to face, and fight against, to achieve their goals. I hope other young women will take up the sport, in the state. However, experience has shown me that it’s difficult to go all the way alone. “The mindsets need to change”.
