Women’s duties were historically, and possibly still are, limited to housework and similar activities. People start talking about it whenever a lady does something other than stay within her four-walled dwelling. People are more judgmental of such women in general because they believe they lack the ability to ‘speak about sports.’
Sports, on the other hand, are not gendered. Everyone may watch as they like, and if they have the expertise, they can also evaluate the game; this does not need them to play it first.
Several Pakistani female journalists are performing outstanding work in the fields of politics, education, health, and entertainment. Still, it is uncommon to encounter female sports journalists undertaking field reporting.
To understand why, Geo News just published an intriguing piece in which many sports writers voice their opinions.
1. Aalia Rasheed – Sports Journalist
According to Aalia Rasheed, the first Pakistani female cricket presenter and journalist at Geo Television Network, the growth of electronic media has undoubtedly provided new doors for female journalists. However, creating a reputation and gaining success in sports writing requires a never-ending effort.
She began her journalism career with the state-run TV station and went on to become the first female TV anchor in the 1990s.
Aalia Rasheed has received a lot of praise from the Indian media and named as ‘Sportstar’. During an interview she stated about her difficulties,
Sexist remarks, flirtation from those you get in contact with for information, including players, administrators and colleagues is a constant pressure.
Aalia Rasheed
Social Life – Aalia Rasheed
2. Shazia Hasan – Sports Journalist
Shazia Hasan, Sports Editor of Dawn’s Sunday Magazine, had wanted to be a sports writer since she was a youngster. Unfortunately, when she first started out in journalism, she was told that covering sports was not appropriate for women.
During her tenure, three editors left their positions, and the fourth permitted Shazia to concentrate on the sports beat. Her professionalism as a sports editor is now generally acknowledged by readers. She claimed that the day she received the sports beat, her male colleagues’ attitudes shifted substantially.
People claimed: ‘I took up the sports beat because of the glamour. Females had no solid grasp of the tactics, laws, and regulations of numerous sports’.
Shazia Hasan – Sports Journalist
Shazia was disappointed that some male sports writers were uninterested in covering and reporting on women’s sporting activities. Female journalists, she claims, were also discouraged from reporting similar events.
Social Life – Shazia Hasan
3. Natasha Raheel – Sports Journalist
Natasha Raheel, a sports writer for The Express Tribune, feels herself lucky to work for a well-known media organisation where editors and other journalists are helpful. She did, however, detail how some male journalists attempted to put her under pressure early in her career.
“Some postal journalists sought to be under pressure in the beginning,” she stated of her early career. I used to ask them technical questions because I had been active in boxing and football since I was a youngster and understood a lot of technical things.
Social Life – Natasha Raheel
4. Nadira Mushtaq – Sports Journalist
Nadira Mushtaq, a veteran sports journalist and anchorperson, has worked in the media for over two decades. Most news outlets and publications, she claims, prefer female journalists to cover health, education, and entertainment.
Initially, folks were inappropriate with me. Nothing is infeasible if you are dedicated.
Nadira Mushtaq – Sports Journalist
She shared her personal experiences, stating that it is often held that a woman cannot become a good writer or journalist.
Nadira has also visited several nations with national sports teams. She was also the media coordinator for Pakistan’s women’s cricket team during the Women’s World Cup series.
5. Fatima Saleem – Sports Journalist
Fatima Saleem was born to spread the word. She grasped the power of information and how it influenced public opinion from a young age. ‘History is described through the perspective of journalists’, therefore journalism wields considerable power. Fatima’s position as one of Karachi’s only female sports journalists gives her a distinct viewpoint on sports news.
My job as a sports writer combines two of my life’s greatest passions: the power of knowledge and my love of sports.
Fatima Saleem – Sports Journalist
Fatima enjoyed a variety of sports as a child, including cricket, football, basketball, and tennis. She was also an ardent swimmer who aspired to be an Olympic champion.
Unfortunately, realising that ambition proved challenging. Fatima need a female coach who could take her to the next level, as well as a culturally suitable swimming location or a swimsuit with long tights.
I entered the field of electronic media in Pakistan while it was in its infancy. In a country where people could finally hear a narrative other than the government’s, everyone wanted to know the news, and I wanted to be there to help them get it.
Fatima Saleem – Sports Journalist
Although the obstacles were not insurmountable, they made progress difficult. Finally, no one forced Fatima to swim, and she lost interest in her desire. “I grew sluggish. I should’ve pushed myself, even if it meant wearing tights underneath my swimwear. It was a mistake for me to give up on my ambition.”
Social Life – Fatima Saleem
6. Zainab Abbas – Sports Journalist
Zainab Abbas is a Pakistani anchor, television personality, and former makeup artist who is 33 years old. Abbas was already well-known as a makeup artist when she auditioned for the Cricket World Cup programme in 2015. She is still hosting cricket shows such as “Sawal Cricket Ka” and “Cricket Dewangi.”
Abbas joined the Pakistan Super League as an anchor in 2017, and she has been seen interviewing several players during the PSL. The 33-year-old beauty is also the first Pakistani to serve as an ICC World Cup presenter in 2019.
Zainab Abbas married Hamza Kardar, the grandson of former Pakistan National Team captain Abdul Hafeez Kardar, in November 2019.
Social Life – Zainab Abbas
7. Sawera Pasha – Sports Journalist
Sawera Pasha is a Karachi-based sports anchor. She presently works as a sports journalist for Samaa TV and has previously worked for numerous famous Pakistani media sources such as PTV Sports and Geo Network. Sawera is also a part-time YouTuber, as she has a channel called Sawera Pasha on the site, where she usually covers cricket news.
Sawera Pasha was born on July 18, 1988, and will be 33 years old in July 2022. Sawera Pasha is presently married to Syed Ali Imran, a television producer and sports journalist by trade. Sawera Pasha married Syed Ali Imran on March 28, 2010, while she was barely 21 years old.
- Email id – sawera@gmail.com
- Snapchat Id Username – sawerapasha
Social Life – Sawera Pasha
8. Fazeela Saba – Sports Journalist
Fazeela Saba was born in Karachi and has kept her date of birth, early life, and marital status private. She is said to be 27 years old and single at the time. Following her education in Karachi, she earned an M.A. in English literature from the University of Karachi.
Her long-held ambition was to become a sports anchor, and after graduating, she took the required steps toward that goal. She honed her cricket skills, which came in useful when she began seeking for a job at a renowned sports station.
Apart from that, one cannot dispute her authenticity in terms of cricket expertise, since she has previously hosted cricket talk programmes on Geo Sports and written her thoughts on current events in cricket for major news publications such as Dawn and Tribune.
If you believe Saba was snuck in as the cricket anchor by accident, you’re mistaken since it was her childhood goal. One thing is certain: Fazeela has had a long-standing passion for the game of cricket. Saba hopes to become Pakistan’s number one female sports anchor now that everything is falling into place for him.
Fazeela Saba has a large number of followers on her Twitter and Facebook accounts, and many of them are usually wondering about her marital status. Saba, as a professional woman, understands how to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.
Social Life – Fazeela Saba
Conclusion
Limiting women to certain roles limits the options available to them based on their expertise and skill. Pakistani women are doing an excellent job of demonstrating how sports are not gendered.
If you liked this article, then please do share it on the Social Media. If you have a question or suggestion? Then you may leave a comment below to start the discussion.
