I was named in the probables for the Pakistan under-18 side. But the camp was called off after only a few days due to the cancellation of the tour. Then, I was called for the national under-21 camp. I got selected and made my first international tour, the 2012 Junior Asia Cup in Thailand.”
The coveted selection for the national senior team arrived soon. “It was a dream come true when I wore the blazer for the first time in 2013, for the tour of Singapore.”
Since then she has been a regular in Pakistan national team though there have been very few international assignments. “What to talk of international competition, there was very little domestic activity for the girls. It is only over the last two years that the women hockey has been reinvigorated. There have been quite a few tournaments at home and girls have played two high-profile international events.”
Mayira has been on the rolls of WAPDA for a long time and greatly appreciates the department’s contribution to her hockey career. “I joined WAPDA quite early. No organisation in Pakistan looks after the sportspersons better. Here, I must mention the WAPDA hockey coach Dilawar Hussain, who really polished my game. To date, I have represented WAPDA in five nationals, and we were the winners each time.”
Pakistan’s successes in the last two events have brought a ray of hope. “When we went to Thailand for the AHF Cup, it was the women team’s first international participation after a long hiatus. The players, team management and the PHF officials were all quite apprehensive. However, Pakistan performed beyond expectations, reaching semi-final of a high-profile event. At the Asian Challenge, in October this year, we might have won the final against Hong Kong, who were ranked almost 20 places above Pakistan, but for the unjust scheduling.”
Mayira was a bit self-effacing about her own performance at the two events. “Hockey is a team sport and it is the results that matter. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that I was able to make good contribution to the team’s fine show. Yes, I was Pakistan’s top scorer in Thailand and Player of the Tournament at Brunei; icing on the cake.
“At the AHF Cup, I was mostly played as the centre forward and hence notched some goals. In Brunei, at
the Asian Challenge, I was mainly utilised at the right
in and the left in positions.”
Pakistan’s head coach Saeed Khan says Mayira’s dribbling and passing skills make her a good schemer. He was proven right. “I was declared ‘The Player of the Tournament’ despite not scoring a single goal in the tournament.”
Her successes have inspired a lot around her. “Quite a few female cousins have picked up hockey sticks. My younger brother now plays the game regularly. In fact, it is not only the family. My Young Fighters Girls Club was the only women hockey centre in Bahawalpur. In recent times, two other women clubs have emerged, and the number of girls in all the three is increasing.”
All this time, she hasn’t ignored her education. Her passion is reflected here as well. “I have recently completed my bachelors and intend to do Master’s in Sports Sciences.”
Her future hockey ambitions also revolve around team achievements. “It is my desire to see Pakistan competing in the top echelons of continental hockey. We came close to qualifying for the Asia Cup; were just one match away. Had we made it to the final at the AHF Cup, Pakistan would have been competing in the Asia Cup. It will also be great to be a part of the big multi-sport extravaganza, the Asian Games. I believe the federation is on the right track. There are more domestic competitions and foreign tours. Here, I suggest that the training camps before the international tournaments should be a bit longer. This is essential to develop sound understanding among the players.”
Role models are essential for any sport to lure the young. Women hockey in Pakistan has now one in Mayira.
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