It's not a sight that has been seen in Srinagar before — a group of 45 schoolgirls, some even attired in hijabs, sweating it out on a football field, dribbling and jostling past each other to safely net the ball into the goal-post. Their dream: to represent the state in the Under-19 category football tournament at the national level.

The competition is already intense. Of the 45 girls, who represent different schools, only 18 players will be picked to participate in the inter-district tournament to be held at Kargil in June. The state team will then be selected, and the next step will be the national level Under-19 championships scheduled later in the year.

For the time being, however, the girls are enjoying their time under the hot May sun at the coaching camp organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports.

Hina Rukhsar, a Class XII student from Amirakadal Higher Secondary School includes David Beckham, Brazilian strikers Ronaldo and Ronaldiano as her role models. “I have seen them playing and I want to emulate them,” says Rukhsar.

“It is a stamina game and one has to be tough, both physically and mentally, to match the male stamina,” says Coach Mustaq Ahmed Dar, 35. And he feels that Rukhsar has what it takes. “She is mentally tough and has good stamina. She’ll make a great striker.”

Dar’s task is made easier by the fact that all the girls are enthusiastic and genuinely interested. “They are eager to learn,” he says, adding that this is the first camp of its kind that the Department of Youth Services and Sports has ever conducted here.

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