By Hina Malik
PESHAWAR: In the deeply conservative city of Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where women in sports were almost unheard of and societal norms and gender bias were ready to stand in her way, Mubashra Sana faced an even greater blow: harassment at the hands of her coach, the only one she could train under because there were no female coaches. What could have broken her instead became the fire that drove her to claim the title of Pakistan’s national taekwondo champion.
Mubashra Sana-Pakistan’s National Taekwondo Champion.
Early Life in a Conservative Society – Mubashra Sana, a passionate taekwondo athlete, hails from Dera Ismail Khan, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Born into a family without any sons, Mubashra was raised by her mother with the resilience and confidence often encouraged in boys. Her upbringing was unconventional in her region; where societal norms never encouraged girls to explore sports, especially those considered masculine like boxing and martial arts.
Growing up in a deeply traditional area, she had no access to proper sports clubs or coaching for girls. “While boys had full access to sports facilities, it was unthinkable for a girl to dream of pursuing martial arts” said Mubashra. But she was not the one to be held back by the limitations set by her environment.
Introduction to Sports Through Table Tennis – Mubashra’s entry into the world of sports began with table tennis during her school years. Despite the societal pressures and absence of professional-level opportunities, she played in various inter-school tournaments and won several city-wide competitions. Her talent was evident, but the possibility of taking the sport to a professional level remained out of reach due to
restrictions on traveling outside her city. However, her passion for sports refused to dim. In 2018, she got the opportunity to participate in the Under-23 Games trials and successfully qualified. Yet again, her journey was nearly halted when her parents initially refused to let her travel to Peshawar for the games. It was only after a college teacher intervened and persuaded them that she was allowed to go.
An Unexpected Opportunity in Judo – At the Under-23 Games, Mubashra participated in table tennis. During the event, the District Sports Officer of Dera Ismail Khan expressed interest in forming a girls’ martial arts team. One of her teachers, noticing her athletic build and potential, encouraged her to try judo. With only a few days left before the championship, she began training alongside a few other girls. Despite minimal time and resources, she quickly grasped the techniques. Her hard work paid off when she won a bronze medal in judo, becoming the only girl from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to secure a medal in the event. This win was monumental; not only did it bring her recognition, but it also earned her an academic scholarship for college,
making her parents immensely proud.
Training Against All Odds – At the time, the hi re were still no martial arts clubs or female coaches in her region. Yet, Mubashra’s passion drove her to find a way. She eventually found a male taekwondo coach who was also training his own daughter. Mubashra shifted to taekwondo. Although her parents were hesitant, the presence of another girl convinced them.
Training took place in less-than-ideal conditions; sometimes in school classrooms, other times in garages. Despite the environment, she trained consistently for two months. Her dedication bore fruit when she participated in her first inter-provincial event in 2018 and brought home a silver medal in taekwondo.
Facing Social Criticism and Sexual Harassment – But her path was not smooth.
Every day, her family had to endure the harsh judgment of society. She would train during the peak afternoon hours in the summer, and even rickshaw drivers would make inappropriate comments about her whereabouts. People would criticize her parents, questioning who would marry a girl with a broken arm or leg and suggesting that she should stay at home instead of practicing martial arts.
The worst, however, came when her coach began harassing her. He threatened to end her sports career unless she agreed to an inappropriate relationship with him. Traumatized, Mubashra confided in her mother, who immediately pulled her out of the Club.
Taking a Stand and Seeking Justice – Not willing to let go of her dreams, Mubashra sought training elsewhere. With help from her teacher, she and her mother traveled to Islamabad to attend a national training camp. But the former coach retaliated by lodging a complaint with the sports federation, accusing her of leaving the club without permission.
When the head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sports federation was informed of the situation, a formal investigation was launched. After a thorough inquiry, the coach was found guilty and appropriate action was taken against him. However, this opened another painful chapter. She began receiving anonymous threats, letters, and harassing calls. Eventually, her father took the matter to the police, ending the threats for good.
Despite those few months of emotional and mental toll which Mubashra described as the hardest period of her life, she continued her training, this time at home.
National Recognition and a Life – Changing Pause – In 2019, her resilience was rewarded when the Pakistan Air Force sponsored her to compete in the National Games Peshawar. She won a silver medal in taekwondo. Her success caught the attention of major departments like the Army, Navy, and WAPDA, who offered her to represent them.
Mubashra ( left in blue) with her silver medal at the National Games Peshawar 2019.
At what seemed to be the peak of her career, Mubashra’s life took another turn; her father decided it was time for her to get married. She married in 2019 and welcomed her first child, a son, the following year. During this time, she was unable to continue training, and it felt like her dream of pursuing taekwondo had come to an end. A Comeback Fueled by Her Husband’s Support – However, support came from an unexpected place; her husband when one day, he asked her about her biggest wish, and she shared her longing to return to martial arts. He encouraged her to resume training, telling her to begin exercising and prepare for a comeback. With her son just eight months old, Mubashra rejoined the Pakistan Air Force Department and started training again. Balancing the demands of married life and motherhood, she trained with unwavering dedication. During training sessions, she
would bring her son along, placing him in front of her with toys to keep him occupied. When he cried, her coaches were supportive and allowed her to attend to him.
Mubashra’s return to training after her child’s birth. Photo courtesy Mubashra Sana
Gold Medal in One Hand, Her Son in the Other – “People used to mock me, saying my only responsibility now was marriage and home and it was unrealistic to think I could ever return to professional sports” recalled Mubashra. Despite her return, the criticism from society didn’t stop. People said that after marriage and childbirth, her body wouldn’t be capable of competing again. They mocked her for trying to revive a career they believed was over. But Mubashra silenced her critics in the most powerful way possible, by winning a gold medal in the National Games Quetta 2023. With her son in her arms, she stood proudly on the victory stand. That moment was not just a personal triumph, but a symbol of defiance and strength.
Mubashra with her gold medal at the National Games Quetta 2023.
With each step forward, Mubashra proved that determination could defy even the harshest odds. Her most recent achievement, a bronze medal at the Combaxx 7th Asian Taekwondo Open Championships in Islamabad, Pakistan, stands as a testament to her relentless spirit and evolving excellence on the international stage.
Bronze medal at the Combaxx 7th Asian Taekwondo Open Championships in
Balancing Motherhood and Martial Arts – Mubashra openly talks about the challenges she faced managing her child and her athletic career. “There were countless sleepless nights, but I still made it a point to attend early morning physical training sessions at 5 am” added Mubashra. Her journey was not just about sports, it was about persistence, sacrifice, and love for her dream.
Today, her son is four years old, and Mubashra continues to break barriers in martial arts. Empowering the Next Generation – The same society that once taunted her for playing “a boy’s sport” and criticized her now send their daughters to train under her. Although Dera Ismail Khan is now also slowly progressing toward female sports, much of that shift has been inspired by trailblazers like Mubashira. She currently runs martial arts training for a large number of girls in the city, helping them learn the same skills that once brought her so much strength and purpose. She has become a role model, not only as an athlete but as a mentor, coach, and
inspiration for young girls fighting against all odds and dreaming of a different path. Through her courage and perseverance, Mubashra Sana is rewriting the narrative for women in sports, especially in areas like Dera Ismail Khan.
Edited by Sumayyah Ahmad
Editor/Reporter
www:sportslinehd.com
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