Bandipora’s 14-year-old Suraiya Mir shines in football, dreams of donning Indian jersey
Bandipora, Jan 26: In north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, where sports fields are framed by breathtaking landscapes, a 14-year-old girl from the Muslimabad area is making headlines with her exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
A Class 9 student, Suraiya Mir, is believed to be the only girl from her district to represent Jammu and Kashmir in the 68th Under-17 National School Games.
Her journey from watching football matches on TV to scoring winning goals on national grounds is a story of passion. Inspired by her brother and driven by her love for the sport, she has shattered barriers in a traditionally male-dominated game, persevering despite limited infrastructure and opportunities for girls in the region.
Chasing her dream of donning the Indian national team’s jersey, Suraiya says she is hopeful to see the right support and infrastructure where she, along with other aspiring female footballers, can make a mark in the sport.
Born into a family of government employees, Suraiya is the youngest of three siblings, with an 18-year-old brother and a sister. She developed a love for football at the tender age of six, frequently visiting the scenic SK Stadium near her home, where her brother often played.
“When he came back, he would teach me how to play,” Suraiya recalls.
“Watching him play, I thought, ‘I want to play too.’ We used to watch matches on TV, and that’s how my interest grew.”
Suraiya officially began playing football in 2020 when her school formed a girls’ football team under the guidance of a local coach. The support from her school, along with encouragement from her parents, played a pivotal role in her development.
“Our coach came to the school, and we started playing from there,” she recalled. The support from school and motivation from her parents helped her further excel in the game.
Despite a rocky start with ‘no’ facilities and no other girls playing football at the local ground—Suraiya’s dedication never wavered. She practiced for at least two hours daily and trained with local football club coaches whenever possible. Her perseverance led her to excel at inter-school, district, and divisional levels.
She highlights one standout moment, when she scored five goals in a single match, which boosted her confidence. Her consistent performance earned her a spot in the state-level trials, where she stood out among her peers.
“I gave my best in the trials, and it paid off,” she said. She said, although her initial experience at the state level wasn’t successful, she was motivated to try again by her teachers, the school chairman, her parents, and coach Azhar.
On her second attempt, she excelled, securing a place in the Nationals.
While her team didn’t perform well overall at the Nationals, one match became a defining moment for Suraiya. “I scored the goal that won us the match,” she said with pride.
Suraiya dreams of representing India on the international stage and hopes to see more opportunities for girls in her hometown, given the right infrastructure, which she feels is "lacking."
“When I went to the stadium, it was only boys playing. Girls do not play football here. There should be a women’s club so that girls are motivated to play sport,” she said.
Suraiya firmly believes that young female athletes need the right facilities and support to thrive. “I want to represent India and make my parents proud. For that, we need a strong women’s football team and better infrastructure,” she said with hope.