Crossing high hurdles for a free run on the rugby field

Though she may be several yards away from the touchline,but as soon as 17-year-old Salihah Yousuf,in Jammu and Kashmirs ...

Though she may be several yards away from the touchline,but as soon as 17-year-old Salihah Yousuf,in Jammu and Kashmirs bottle green colours,starts her run on the rugby field,she has already scored a point. Early opposition at home for pursuing a physical sport,the struggle to find other like-minded girls to form a team,training under the shadow of terror and,of course,the snide remarks of the sceptics have been some of the hurdles that Salihah has crossed before she reached the capital to participate in an All-India event organised to pick probables for the national team.

From playing on Srinagars dodgy fields that need to be mine-sweeped regularly to the smooth lawns and sporting environment of Delhi University,it was a welcome change for the young rugger,but there is something else that brings her greater relief. Back home,we practice going for the hard tackles and furious attempts to score wearing a salwar kameez. Here running in shorts and jersey it is much more convenient, says the girl the infectious smile.

Salihah also inspired her younger sister,Sajdah,to take up rugby. With two rugby-playing daughters,my mother is worried at times ,since most of the time we are traveling. But she has been our pillar of strength. She has always said that what a boy can do,a girl can do better, she says.

Perhaps,that explains her preference for what has been considered a mens sport and her sisters boyish appearance.

Salihah was just three when her father died after he was caught in crossfiring during a protest march in 1995. Me and my mother support each other. She calls up at least 10 times a day and I call back as much, she says.

The beginning

Her beginnings in the sport were as unusual as her choice of it. Way back in 2004,we had a physics test and,being unprepared and wanting to bunk the class,we me and a friend joined a rugby training session that had just started in our school. We liked it but didnt think seriously about it. The next day,we again had to go for training and it gave us another chance to bunk classes. That was the beginning, she laughs.

The chance encounter with the sport turned out to be a long association. Today Salihah is a certified level 1 coach and a rugby development officer (RDO) for the state. Despite the tough job of spreading rugby in the Valley,Salihah doesnt grumble about the degree of difficulty. We have just one ground and that is occupied by cricketers or the football players. We hardly get to play. Often,we are sent back home because of fear that there might landmines hidden under the field, she says.

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She continues to surprise as she says that she has cleared her AIEEE entrance exams and wants to now pursue civil engineering. But Salihah is quick to add that she wouldnt compromise on rugby.

Two years back,my mother wanted me to leave Kashmir and move to Delhi for further studies. I have cousins who are here,in Bangalore,in Germany; she wanted me to move with them,but I refused to leave her. Now,of course,I understand better. I would like to move to Delhi or Pune for my engineering so that I can pursue my rugby also, she says.