By Malik Riaz Hai Naveed, Founder FootballPakistan.com
Hajra Khan, Captain of Pakistans National Team has been invited by three football clubs in Germany to Attend trials in the Bundesliga Preseason this July.
„Yes, SGS Essen, FSV Gütersloh and VfL Sindelfingen want me to try out during their current preparation for the upcoming season. The opportunity just to tryout for not one but three top tier German clubs is a big achievement itself.“, said the excited 21 year old striker, talking exclusively to FootballPakistan.Com
This is not the first stint abroad for our national team Captain. Hajra also became the first Pakistani female footballer to sign an international contract with the Maldives national women’s league club SRS last year, where she played in this years season too and made it to the 3rd place.
About the feelings aber getting invited by such big clubs Hajra said that she feels ecstatic to have been invited by these clubs and it’s what everybody dreams of and. Hajra grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to improve and learn the perfect definition of the sport.
„I have goals – for a day, for a life time and I’ve gone all out to achieve this one. With support from family and friends, self determination and persistence; here I am today. I don’t fear failure, I’m not afraid to not get signed it’s the experience I’m looking forward to undergo.“, Hajra said further.
Being asked what she wants to achieve in Germany the youngster said, that she feels content to represent Pakistan abroad, She has done it in Maldives and she will do it in Europe too. „It’s not easy for women in our country to pursue their dreams but I’ve strived through it all. I praise Kaleem-ullah, who made his way to the US for his hardwork, I will too with my hardwork prove that Pakistan has talent.“
The rise of women football in Pakistan has been made possible with Hajra being the most successful striker of the nation and the first women to play abroad. From an early age, her dream was to become a professional athlete but not a footballer until 2008 when she joined Diya Women FC. Khan is very solid with both feet and she shows it time and time again with her great long-range strikes and passes and her crossing. Her exceptional skills and pace make her a tough customer for any defender. So it was no surprise that Pakistans current National Champion signed her in 2013.
About the next steps Hajra said that this is the top – to get a chance to play in europe. Prove her self to everyone and more to her own self: „To find that I have peace of mind and can enjoy myself, get more sleep, and rest when I know that it was a one hundred percent effort that I gave–whether or not I get signed with the clubs or not. It’s the overhaul that takes time.“
The sportive girl is not a footballer only. Hajra is also a member of Pakistan National Netball Team and has won a bronze medal at the South Asian Beach Games in Hambantota, Sri Lanka in 2011. She has also represented Pakistan at the Salwan International Marathon in India holding 47th position out of 7000 participants at just the age of 11. Khan is also the Most Valuable basketball player of Karachi since 2009. Also led the school Basketball team at the UAE Inter-school Basketball Championship in Dubai and won gold.
„Today I’d like to thank my childhood friend, Ali Fazil who forced me to play “Penalties” with him on the goalposts we had chalked on the walls at just 8-9 years old while I’d be all about basketball; that’s where it all started.“, Hajra concluded.