SRINAGAR: In a story that embodies fierce defiance and quiet determination, 30-year-old Afshan Ashiq, a footballer from Srinagar, has transformed from a “rebel” in her father’s eyes to a national inspiration, now setting her sights on the global stage with dreams of playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), following in the footsteps of her idol, Neymar Jr.
Her journey highlights not just her prowess on the field as a goalkeeper but her monumental battle against societal taboos and personal struggles in conflict-scarred Kashmir.
Afshan’s most cherished victory wasn’t a medal, but a hug from her father in Mumbai after her first big match with Premier India Football Academy (PIFA). “That hug in Mumbai… that was more than a gold medal for me,” Afshan told ETV Bharat, reflecting on the moment her father finally accepted her unconventional path. He had once disowned her for pursuing football, a sport unheard of for girls in public spaces in Kashmir.
Her foray into football was accidental, spotted by coach Abdullah Dar while she was a cricketer. She trained in secret for a year, enduring taunts and societal judgment, even wearing jerseys under her clothes for modesty due to the lack of changing rooms.
Afshan’s turning point wasn’t a win, but a fight to prove girls could command the field. She established her own academy, Unique Football Girls, mentoring over 200 aspiring female footballers. Her coaching credentials were born not from a desire to coach, but from a desperate need to create a structure where none existed. “I always wanted to be a player, not a coach. But when there’s no structure, you create one,” she asserted. She credits Waheed Para, then Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, for his crucial support in providing “dignity and facilities for female players” in 2016.
Her professional career took off with PIFA in Mumbai, leading to appearances for FC Kolhapur City in the Indian Women’s League in 2019, where she famously conceded only one goal against national star Bala Devi. Her extensive club appearances across India have made her one of Kashmir’s most visible female footballers.
Afshan’s journey took an unexpected and highly publicised turn on April 24, 2017, when she was captured in an image widely circulated by media, appearing to pelt stones at security forces during student protests in Srinagar. This incident, initially seen as a mark of a “rebel,” became a pivotal moment in her life.
Later on December 30, 2017, Afshan told The Hindu that she was protecting her students from misbehaving policemen. “The policeman made objectionable remarks about the girls. I could not bear it,” she was quoted as having said. While she wishes not to dwell on the past, this incident ironically brought significant attention to women’s football in Kashmir, leading to a 100 per cent increase in girls registering at her academy.
Despite being initially snubbed by the Jammu & Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) due to the negative media portrayal, she found crucial support from Parra, enabling her to continue playing. The media, particularly national outlets, often sensationalised her story with headlines like “Stone-pelter turns into footballer,” a narrative she vehemently refutes, emphasising she was already a footballer.
Afshan has since become a Fit India Ambassador, a role she embraces despite the weight it carries. After her photograph went viral on social media, she started asserting that street agitations take societies backwards. She started advocating non-violent approaches to address issues in Kashmir, urging youth to shun stone-pelting.
Her dedication extends to financially supporting her own training and travel, aware of the scarcity of resources for aspiring female athletes in Kashmir. While she now has sponsors, she emphasises the dire need for better infrastructure and support systems for talented players in the region.
Afshan’s inspiring story caught the attention of Bollywood, leading to a signed biopic titled Hope Solo (named after her idol, American goalkeeper Hope Solo), with actor Gulshan Grover. Through this film, she aims to present her true story and address the “malicious” portrayal of Kashmir by some media outlets. She remains steadfast in her commitment to speak about human rights violations and injustices in Kashmir, regardless of any contracts. In the film slated to be out later this year, her role is being played by Athiya Shetty while Sunil Shetty plays the role of her father and Pankaj Kapur her uncle. The biopic is directed by Manish Harishankar and written by Saiwyn Quadras.
In a meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in December 2017, as reported by Hindustan Times, Afshan and her team discussed the lack of sports infrastructure in the erstwhile state, prompting Singh to call the Chief Minister and inform them about a sanctioned Rs 100 crore for sports development in the state.
Afshan Ashiq’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of sport to transcend personal and political divides. Her dream of playing for PSG, once considered too ambitious, now seems like another boundary she is destined to break.
