I work at the intersection of sport and development, with a focus on both the development of sport systems and the use of sport - particularly football - as a vehicle for social change. My engagement with sport began on the sidelines as a rehabilitation specialist for athletes while completing my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at McGill University. Over the past 16 years, I have built a career spanning sport development and development through sport, with a particular emphasis on women’s football.

My journey as an athlete-activist began over a decade ago in Pakistan, where I helped establish a women’s division and outreach programmes within one of the country’s few football organizations at the time. As a player, I have had the privilege to play at various provincial and international levels, and represent clubs and academic institutions. As a coach, I have been fortunate to work with teams both within and outside Pakistan. 

Beyond the pitch, my professional work includes designing and delivering programmes for girls and young women focused on education advocacy and inclusion in sport, as well as developing funding pathways for emerging activists within the global international NGO landscape. I am also the founder of a women’s football club in Karachi, Pakistan, which primarily provides adult women with access to regular, recreational football in a supportive environment.

My involvement in resourcing women in sport initially emerged from the need to enable my own participation, but has since evolved into a broader commitment to influencing how funding and development decisions are made within the sport and development ecosystem. I remain deeply motivated by collective wins and am always open to collaboration - whether over a game or a cup of coffee :)