Layla Banaras & Zahmeena Malik Speak Ahead of Pakistan Women's Historic FIFA Series Debut

The Pakistan Women's National Football Team is putting in the hard yards at a rigorous training camp in Lahore, preparing for a monumental milestone: their debut in the FIFA Women's Series. With the squad set to jet off to the Ivory Coast this Monday, the energy and motivation in the camp are at an all-time high. While speaking in a media session after training, the players shared their excitement and insights on the upcoming tournament.

The preparation has been nothing short of intense. According to Zahmeena Malik, the 10-day camp has been a crucial stepping stone for the squad's development. "The past seven or eight days have been really good for us," she shared. "The team is getting bigger and the training is becoming more intense. So it’s going really well for us."

Reflecting on the magnitude of the upcoming tournament, teammate Layla Banaras expressed the squad's collective determination and readiness to take on the international stage.

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I feel like it's an opportunity to show the world what we can do,

"It's been a long camp, but everyone's been working really hard, and we're really excited to go to the Ivory Coast on Monday," Banaras added.

Despite the historical limitations for women's football in the country, the players are feeling highly supported heading into this international window. Both athletes praised the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for their backing and the setup in Lahore. Layla highlighted the quality of the training environment, stating, "These are really nice pitches and facilities, and they've looked after us." Zahmeena added that representing the country is a great feeling, and the PFF has stepped up to provide excellent facilities, noting, "They really do give what they can."

For these athletes, putting on the green shirt is about much more than just a game; it's about national pride and breaking barriers. "It's a real honor to always represent Pakistan, and this debut FIFA series competition is well recognized across the globe," Layla expressed. "We want to do our best and represent Pakistan to the best of our ability... I feel like we're going in the right direction, and Inshallah we can keep competing with these top teams, show the world that we can compete with them, and win against them."

As they prepare to step onto the global stage, they haven't forgotten the young girls watching them back home. Zahmeena offered a powerful piece of advice for the next generation of Pakistani female footballers: "Look, there is a national team now, and use us as inspiration. But most importantly, you play. If you have a dream inside you, follow it."