ISLAMABAD: A groundbreaking moment in women’s football has emerged as Pakistan women’s football team captain, Maria Khan, becomes the first Pakistani female footballer to sign with a Saudi club. The Saudi Women’s Premier League’s Eastern Flames FC proudly announced the signing of Maria Khan, 31, as a significant addition to their roster, marking a milestone for both Pakistani and Saudi Arabian women’s football.
تنضم ماريا خان الى صفوف نادي شعلة الشرقية 🔥
تعاقد إدارة النادي مع اول المحترفات الاجانب ، لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الاول لكرة القدم سيدات في الدوري الممتاز للسيدات لهذا الموسم 🔥
ماريا خان هي كابتن المنتخب الباكستاني 🇵🇰#ماريا_خان#شعلة_الشرقية #فخر_الشرقية #كرة_القدم_النسائية pic.twitter.com/yrEpHyUmaR
— نادي شعلة الشرقية Eastern Flames FC (@EasternFlamesFC) August 11, 2023
Maria Khan’s leadership and skills have propelled her to the forefront of women’s football, earning her the captaincy of the Pakistan women’s team for the SAFF Women’s Championship last year. Under her guidance, the team demonstrated remarkable progress, setting a strong foundation for women’s football in Pakistan.
Dammam-based club Eastern Flames has secured Maria’s services for the current season, reinforcing their first women’s team for the premier league. The announcement of her signing was shared on the microblogging platform X, with the club expressing excitement about her joining the ranks of Eastern Flames FC.
Maria Khan Optimistic About the Opportunity
In her reaction to the historic signing, Maria Khan expressed her optimism about the opportunity to play with an international club, which could potentially open doors for Pakistani talent that often remains unnoticed. She emphasized her hopes for the emergence of more opportunities for Pakistani athletes.
“This is a significant moment for Pakistani football and especially for women’s football. I hope this opens doors for other Pakistani players as well,” Maria Khan conveyed in an interview with Geo News after her signing.
The diverse roster of Eastern Flames FC demonstrates its international outlook, with players from Colombia, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco also represented.
Maria Khan’s football journey has seen her previously play for WAPDA in Pakistan. She gained widespread attention earlier this year for her impressive free-kick goal, contributing to an equalizing moment against hosts Saudi Arabia in a four-nation tournament.
Maria follows in the footsteps of Hajra Khan, who made history in 2014 by becoming the first Pakistani female footballer to sign with a foreign club, SHR Football Club of Maldives. These trailblazing women continue to inspire and pave the way for the growth and recognition of women’s football in Pakistan and beyond.
