Zubair Qureshi
Reiterating her faith in the immense talent of the Pakistani women Ambassador of the Netherlands Ms Henny de Vries on Tuesday hosted a reception at her residence to honour the remarkable achievements of women in sports.
The event organized on the eve of 77th Independence Day, celebrated the talent, dedication, and perseverance displayed by female athletes worldwide in general and Pakistan in particular.
Ms Henny had invited players of the Women Legacy Club at her residence. Ambassador of Germany Alfred Grannas, sponsors and coaches of the football team were also in attendance.
The Women Legacy Club was the runner up in the recently concluded National Football Championship for Women at the Sports Complex.
However what made the evening special was the presence of the Dutch-Pakistani football player Kayanat Bokhari (Kaya Bokhari) in the club.
Kaya an attacking midfielder for DSVP’ first women’s team in the Netherlands had represented the country of her origin for the first time and the ambassador was all praise for her passion and dedication.
Although they lost to Karachi City Club in the final match yet the Women Legacy team did their level best in the National Women’s Championship and earned praise from the spectators.
Commenting on the occasion, Ambassador Henny de Vries said “Historically, women in sports have faced challenges such as discrimination, lack of funding, and unequal opportunities.
Despite these obstacles, women athletes continue to excel, inspiring future generations to dream big. The embassy acknowledges the significance of sports diplomacy in strengthening ties between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
Collaborations in sports have proven to have a positive impact, as seen during the visit of a Dutch hockey club earlier this year.”
Looking ahead, the embassy is committed to further engaging in sports-focused events and activities between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
The event was attended by esteemed guests, including media representatives, sports personalities, diplomats, and other stakeholders committed to promoting sports and international cooperation.
Recognizing the importance of empowering women in sports, the embassy also organized a clinic and other activities to support female athletes.
