Abida, 14, is one of the grittiest forwards in the football team of the Muslim Women’s Association (MWA) School here. On the field, she is fiery, focused and an asset for the team in the over 25 matches they have played in three years.
But the instant she slips out of her cleats and into the veil after practice every morning, she’s reticent, sparse with words and uncomfortable even about disclosing her second name.
“Her family wouldn’t appreciate her being known for playing a sport,” says Thamimunissa Jabbar, fondly known as ‘Thamim’, the 35-year-old football coach from the city has turned patron for scores of girls like Abida, who are from orthodox Muslim families but find identity and freedom in football.