Pakistani captain Maria Khan joins Saudi Women’s Premier League

KARACHI: The captain of Pakistan’s women’s football team Maria Khan has officially joined the Eastern Flames FC of Saudi Women’s Premier League, as announced by the Dammam-based club on Friday.

As per the media reports, 31-year-old Khan has achieved the distinction of becoming the first Pakistani female footballer to secure a signing with a Saudi club. With her appointment as captain of the Pakistan women’s team for the South East Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship last year, she has showcased remarkable leadership skills and has led her team to notable progress.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Flames FC has expressed their excitement regarding Khan’s addition. A statement released by the club on the microblogging platform X read, “Maria Khan joins the ranks of Eastern Flames FC.”

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“The Club’s management contracted with the first foreign professional to support the ranks of the women’s first team in the women’s premier league this season,” as per the Arabic text of the club’s social media post.

تنضم ماريا خان الى صفوف نادي شعلة الشرقية 🔥

تعاقد إدارة النادي مع اول المحترفات الاجانب ، لتدعيم صفوف الفريق الاول لكرة القدم سيدات في الدوري الممتاز للسيدات لهذا الموسم 🔥

ماريا خان هي كابتن المنتخب الباكستاني 🇵🇰#ماريا_خان#شعلة_الشرقية #فخر_الشرقية #كرة_القدم_النسائية pic.twitter.com/yrEpHyUmaR

— نادي شعلة الشرقية Eastern Flames FC (@EasternFlamesFC) August 11, 2023

As per the reports, Khan, during an interview, expressed hope that her collaboration with an international club would create more opportunities for Pakistani talent to shine on the global stage. She remarked, “I hope this starts to create opportunities for Pakistani athletes and the talent that a lot of times goes unnoticed.”

It is pertinent to note that the Eastern Flames FC’s roster also boasts players from diverse backgrounds, including Colombia, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

However, Maria Khan’s signing comes in the wake of her previous engagement with Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Pakistan. Her prowess gained international recognition earlier this year when she scored a stunning free-kick goal, leveling the game against hosts Saudi Arabia in a four-nation tournament.

Maria Khan steps in the shoes of Hajra Khan, who made history in 2014 by becoming the first female footballer from Pakistan to secure a signing with a foreign club when she joined SHR Football Club of Maldives.