Pakistan's female athlete hopes to inspire millions of girls back home

Pakistani sportswomen have to overcome a lack of facilities and the restrictions of their conservative Islamic nation in their quest for glory.


Pakistan's sole female athlete Sadaf Siddiqui has modest ambitions for the Olympics and says simply competing will be a dream come true as she hopes to inspire millions of girls back home.


Lahore-based Siddiqui runs the 100 and 200 metres but as a wild card entrant she is allowed to compete in only one event and so will be lining up for the 100m heats in Beijing.

The 22-year-old sprinter knows she faces red-hot competition from a star-studded line-up but promises to keep her head high and proud, even if she finishes last.
"I promise that I will not show an embarrassed loser's face, my head will be high and my face would be glowing because the Olympic spirit is to compete irrespective of results. For me it's an honour," the sprinter told AFP.

Siddiqui is one of just two female competitors in Pakistan's 37-member contingent for the Games, with 18-year-old Kiran Khan set to jump in the Olympic pool in the women's swimming.

Pakistan is sending 21 athletes in total and 16 officials, according to the Pakistan Olympic Association.

"We do not have world class facilities and whatever we attain is due to hard work and support from the family. For me former Pakistan athlete Sumera Zahoor was an inspiration but otherwise it's hard to find encouragement," she said.

And so her aunt Fehmida Siddiqui will fly from London to Beijing specially to see her compete in the Olympics, a prospect Sadaf relishes.
"At least there would be one person clapping for me," she said.