Teen athlete fled Taliban stronghold to pursue dream

From CNN today,,

Her father,, his quote blew me away,, he said,,

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For his part, Wazir -- a teacher -- was more circumspect.
"I sacrificed because I want to promote a message of peace," he said. "If the tribal people pick up a racquet instead of a gun, there would be peace."

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (CNN)

As a little girl, Maria Toor Pakay would beat up boys.


Maria Toor Pakay has overcome unusual adversity to rank among the world's top 100 squash players.

Now, she dispenses of anyone who takes her on within the walls of a squash court.

Pakay, 18, is Pakistan's No. 1-ranked women's squash player. But what makes her story remarkable is that she hails from the country's tribal region of South Waziristan.

The region, along the border with Afghanistan, is home to the Taliban.

There, suicide attacks are a way of life. And the militants, bent on imposing a strict form of Islamic law, punish girls who attend school -- let alone play sports.

"They have no future," Pakay said. "They spend their entire lives in four walls in their home. Their ability is destroyed."





http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/09/21/pakistan.squash.champion/index.html


MARIA,, YOU GO GIRL!!!


I believe you will one day,, BE #1, in the WORLD,, if you want it BAD ENOUGH!!!!!