Pakistan's women footballers trek to play 'Gender Equality Match' at highest-altitude pitch

KARACHI: Pakistani women footballers achieved yet another feat when they trekked four hours to play a match at country’s highest altitude football pitch — 4,100 metres — in Upper Shimshal.

According to organisers, around 29 women footballers — aged between 11 to 22-years-old and hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan — trekked to Upper Shimshal's Zarthgurbein, located at an altitude of 4,100 metres above the sea level, to play the gender equality match”.

In this regard, Al Shams Football Club, the organisers, said: “A gender equality football match was held between the teams of Unity and Peace at one of Pakistan’s highest altitude football in Zarthgurbein 4100 above sea level.

“For the match, both of the teams trekked for almost 4 hours to reach the destination which was a beautiful ground situated at an altitude of 4100m above sea level in Zarthgurbein.

"Both of the teams played with great zeal. Peace team won the match by 1-0,” they added.

The football encounter at the picturesque valley with White Horn Peak shining at background offered spectators a mesmerising look. Al Shams Football Club highlighted that the purpose of these efforts was to create awareness of gender equality in the masses and at all the levels.

An Al Shams Football Club official, Azeem, said: “We hope that people see the efforts and get the message of peace and gender equality behind matches like these."

A total of 29 women players along with eight management folks trekked to this area, Azeem added, noting that a session was also held after the match.

"We believe in the power of sports and hope that this kind of activities will change the mindset and open ways for female to get themselves involve in sports.

"We believe that we had spread the message of peace through our activity,” he added.

Last year, the club had organised first-ever women football league — the Gilgit Baltistan Women Football League — with eight teams participating in it.