Her Right To Play offers a glimpse into the Pakistan women’s football team’s moments of joy, laughter, failures, and resilience, showcasing their camaraderie.
“Her Right to Play” presented by Myco, documents the journey of the Pakistan Women’s football team to the Olympic qualifiers, where they confronted more experienced teams in Tajikistan. Despite rigorous, intense training and struggling with injuries, these women displayed immense grit and determination to represent their country on the field. Through football, Her Right To Play sheds light on the struggles of women striving for their rights and the evolving landscape of women’s football in the country.
The Politically Charged, Turbulent Landscape Of Football In Pakistan
On July 1st, 2022, FIFA lifted the ban on the Pakistan Football Federation. Pakistani football has endured a politically charged, turbulent landscape. The women’s football team initially faced a FIFA ban in 2013 due to inactivity and remained dormant even after the prohibition was lifted in 2017. Before the teams could stabilize, FIFA placed another suspension in April 2021 due to undue third-party interference, which was recently lifted on July 1st, 2022.
Despite the challenging state of sports affairs in Pakistan, the Pakistan Women’s football team has made significant strides. They have not only faced barriers to play but also cultural and societal obstacles. Despite the landscape, they achieved a remarkable 7-0 victory against the Maldives in their first international outing, highlighted by a magnificent free kick goal from captain Maria against Saudi Arabia, the match that created frenzy on social media.
The Team & Real-Life Heroes Behind “Her Right To Play”
Directed by Mohammed Ali Sheikh, an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, and written by Husain Qaizar, an Emmy-nominated editor and director, this powerful documentary is produced by Sana Mahmud, Husain Qaizar, and Mohammed Ali Sheikh, with Umair Masoom and Phil McKenzie serving as executive producers. It showcases the remarkable journey of the Pakistani women football team, featuring our real-life heroes; Captain Maria Khan, Co-Captain Malika Noor, former national team captain Sana Mahmud, Ehsanullah as the goalkeeping coach, forward Ramin Farid, midfielder Suha Hirani, forward Sara Khan, Qibtia, Sophia Qureshi, Sanober Sattar, and Head Coach Adeel Rizki.
A Story, A Tribute, Executive Producer Umair Masoom Felt Compelled To Bring To The Screen
Executive producer and Myco founder, Umair Masoom at the premiere of the documentary, held at Nueplex Cinemas, shared that this story holds special significance for him as one he personally felt compelled to bring to the screen. As a sports enthusiast and a former football player himself, he encountered many talented girls who were passionate about the sport but faced barriers due to societal pressures. With this documentary, he pays tribute to all those who were deprived of the right to play despite their abilities.
While Myco has gained recognition for its coverage of PSL matches this season, it has many other content initiatives. Myco has not only funded over 200 stories in Dubai but around the globe in an impressive feat to decentralize media consumption and empower filmmakers, which remains their core vision.
Rarely Any Female Centric Sports Documentaries In Pakistan?
How many female-centric sports documentaries do we have in Pakistan? Rarely any, right? This was precisely the opportunity, long waiting to be explored and brought to our screens, both for Pakistani audiences and content consumers alike. If you’re still unaware, as a Pakistani, of the football landscape, the crisis, and the tumultuous ride since 2013 onwards, this documentary would be the perfect opportunity to gain insight and knowledge into that.
The documentary takes you behind the scenes, allowing you to witness the team’s incredible, absolutely challenging journey as they prepare for SAFF, marking their first international game in 8 years. The journey they’ve embarked upon is far more painstaking, jubilant, and overflowing with passion than you might imagine.
In a world and specially in a country where our true heros seldom get the glory they deserve, on the contrary spend their entire lives making the nation proud yet often remain unappreciated and forgotten. This documentary serves as a poignant reminder of this reality and urges us to consider the immense sacrifices these heroes make.
Unique Stories Of Each Of The Team Members, An Opportunity To Connect With Them
We have seen our female footballers on screens, maybe in ads, and seldom in the news, but this was our opportunity to truly connect with them. The captain, Maria Khan, began engaging with us viewers from the other side of the screen. She shared that her passion for football ignited at the age of six, recounting her journey and articulating the challenges many girls encounter, including the notorious, societal fed fear of “log kya kahengay.” Additionally, Malika Noor, the co-captain from Hunza, too has a remarkable story, one you might want to know more about. She shared how her parents refused to succumb to societal pressures. Behind each of these girls lies a unique story, and we’re certain that each one would resonate with you and move you.
Midfielder Suha Hirani expressed her opinion, highlighting how football suffered in Pakistan and the loss of an entire generation of potential talent. She lamented the lack of progress and emphasized the regression the sport has experienced.
“Her Right To Play” also sheds light on and brings into focus head coach Adeel Rizki, who serves as the driving force behind his team. Previously settled in Canada and notably serving as a High Performance Coach at FC Barcelona, he returned home to lead and witness his country’s rise to success.
Did you know that the neighborhood of Lyari in Karachi is often referred to as the mini Brazil? Her Right To Play, even offers a glimpse into the football-obsessed world thriving there.
Why We Recommend Watching “Her Right To Play”
“Her Right To Play” is a discovery about these astoundingly inspiring girls, our real-life heroes who make us proud despite the very real struggles they continue to face: the state and affairs of football, the lack of funds and sports facilities in the country, and the years they have lost, among many other challenges.
A watch we recommend for football lovers, fierce women supporters, and, to be honest, just as Pakistanis who might have missed witnessing these stories of incredible strides. Though we would have preferred a high-resolution footage of the match – we felt it a bit of a disservice to the endeavor. But despite that, the pride for the girls on the screen, felt in the cinema was truly contagious!
The documentary neither suggests nor do we believe that football for women in Pakistan will be a quick fix. Realistically, it’s a long journey requiring the federation (and us, as Pakistanis) to embark on a mission towards reviving football and abundant encouragement, institutional support, sufficient funds, upgraded facilities, and unwavering cheer from the sidelines.
Catch the Women’s football documentary “Her Right To Play” only on Myco.
