Cricket is widely regarded as the favorite sport in Pakistan, overshadowing football, especially women's football. The new president of the Pakistan Football Federation plans to encourage girls' participation in the sport. Previously, the women's national team had limited opportunities, playing only three matches in two years due to FIFA suspension. Layla Banaras, the first South Asian woman to play for Birmingham City, aims to inspire others and recently debuted for Pakistan, participating in the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers. Her experiences reflect a growing hope for women's football in Pakistan.
Abu Bakar Yasin and Srosh Khan Getty Images Ask one of the 255 million people in Pakistan to name their favourite sport, and most will say cricket. Not many will say football, and even fewer will say women's football. But that's all about to change, according to new Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president Syed Mohsin Gilani. 'We want to promote mass participation of girls in football,' he says.
Layla made history when, aged 16, she became the first-ever South Asian woman to play for Birmingham City, something that she hopes can inspire others. 'I feel like I want to be the person that people can see and show others that you can play football.'
Layla is currently a free agent after leaving the Blues at the end of last season, and recently made her debut for the Pakistan women's national team. She played in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup qualifiers, where the side finished as runners-up.
'Pakistan contacted me a couple years ago but I felt like it wasn't the right time and I felt like this was the right time,' she says. 'It was an amazing experience and I'd do it all over again.'
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