56
A new corporate mini-documentary featuring our new superstar Naseem Hameed is all over our television screen these days. It shows a girl sprinting at school races as her parents cheer her on. Cut to the South Asian Games and that girl now a woman, still a sprinter, who wins the 100-metre event gold medal for Pakistan. What a triumph! What a blow for feminism in Pakistan – the fastest woman is South Asia is a Pakistani. Now a household name in the country, she is adored by the media and has become a symbol of hope and courage. The only problem is…she is not the only one.
Another Pakistani girl won a gold medal at the same South Asian Games this year. Someone we are not really familiar with, perhaps because karate is not as glamorous as sprinting and hence didn’t make the headlines in the same manner. This girl has been fighting since she was a four-year-old, against our societal dogmas and stereotypes. She credits her Ammi for the standing by her, as she climbed her way up and reached the pinnacle. She speaks reverently of her teachers and thinks that she faces the same issues any girl her age does. Except when she steps onto the mat and sees her opponent, she forgets all about it and her focus is only on winning.
This karate kid is Sara Nasir – the dupatta-clad girl standing next to Naseem Hameed as our President hands them both awards for their outstanding performance. So why is it that we know of one and not the other?
Indeed, we cannot take anything away from Hameed. She is a true icon.
But why is it that we idolise one person so much that it overshadows someone else who has performed equally well? Our sports history is fully of similar stories, remember Imran Khan and Javed Miandad? Perhaps personality has something to do with it. Or maybe it is because Sarah Nasir comes across as a regular college-going girl: Unassuming and simple.
Documentary or no documentary we should raise them both up shining examples for our women.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
The writer is the Editor Lingua Urdu at Global Voices. He is also the Director Digital Strategy and Social Media at Mind Map Communications. He tweets @faisalkapadia.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (56) Closed
Jul 14, 2010 08:40am
Well done Sara Nasir.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 08:16am
Strongly Agreed... This biasness admonishes the spirits of the shadowed one... I was totally unaware of the other girl... Media didn't even did a 10% job on her when equated to Naseem Hameed..!
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 10:52am
100% Agreed with faisal. our well wishes for both girls but why media and people create this discrimination.
You can found similar stories around your relatives. it don't know why favoritism become the habit of our society
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 10:32am
I think it's a simple matter of demand and supply. Media would only cover what the public wants to see. If people are not interested in karate then media can't do much about it.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:10am
"What a blow for feminism in Pakistan"...shouldn't that be anti-feminism
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:15am
Strongly Agreed
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:19am
Accomplished women in Pakistan needs more encouragement and recognition.
Let's sing for the unsung heroes.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:21am
at least you, Faisal, have highlighted this young sportswoman, if not anyone else. Not only Sara Nasir but many other sportspersons stand neglected by the Ministry of Sports.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 11:27am
Thank you faisal for directing the spot light on the unsung heroine. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:31am
This problem has a global touch.Even in the west,atheletes get much more lucrative sponsorships than swimmers. Usain bolt has more price tag than Michael Phelps.likewise here in Pakistan,cricketers are much more handsomely paid than hockey players.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 11:15am
why not you arrange some interviews of this girl. And as i work for SSI (sports star international)
they own ATV, A-plus, A-lite
i can arrange interviews with this girl.
its good to know hat you have taken this step.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 11:23am
"Unassuming and simple" .. that's exactly right ... and let's not forget her modesty . Why would our media promote modesy !!!! Right ?!
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:50am
Thanks for sharing with us...beacuse including me most of us dont know about Sara Nisar.
Well Done Sara...keep it up!!!
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 11:14am
Aoa.thnx for highlighting the accomplishments of another bright girl.I didn't know about her at all.hats off to both 4 representing Pakistan & giving a hope to many other outstanding girls.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 11:14am
I had never heard if Sara had also got a gold medal. Maybe she is not being idolized because she looks a bit more conservative while Naseem has a glamourous air around her.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 10:35am
yes i am strongly agreed with faisal. actually what i get or what i found since i get conscious from my childhood to right now is that because of such reasons Pakistan could not get his goals. cause we try to make one parson a hero and to the other person who did same job for country we did such thing with him which we did with Sara. sorry Sara
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 11:48am
This is no discrimination. 100m winner in Olympics get much more coverage than any other winner
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 01:09pm
thanx faisal. thnx 4 opening our wyes
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 12:28pm
Very true. It just the dynamics of how popularity works. But the corporation which chose to highlight Hameed could have also highlighted Nasir and that's the question Faisal is asking. I can already imagine in my mind's eye a very karate-kid type rendition of her victory for the music video. But regardless, they are both winners for us.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 12:32pm
Dude, a BIG thanks for bringing up Sara Nasir and her victory -I honestly had no idea that there was another gold medalist from Pakistan in the very same games. They are BOTH true winners.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 12:59pm
true dude!... but it teaches a good lesson in life, success could be commanded but fame is all about chance.. but you know what, success remains for ever but fame only till the bilboard didnt get next celebrity to show!!
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 01:34pm
She is great athlete but my question is why she is reluctant to participate in common wealth game she has fear to lose popularity if she lose in this event?
Salman Akbar
Karachi
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 01:58pm
Well done to both grils, we should feel really proud as they are the sould of Pakistan.
Thanks Faisal bro to highlight this and media should play its role to promote both as icons for furture generations.
She should be promoted the way she is and Modesty has its own glamour in the eyes of gen public, everyone is not the same.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 02:54pm
I am very much happy that a girl approached to the Asian Games and won for Pakistan. It boosts our love for the country and I wish that talents in Pakistanis would come before world.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 05:23pm
Agree 100%. Thanks for highlighting the obvious.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 05:39pm
THANKS for such a nice BLOG, really I was also not aware about the SARA, as a GOLD MEDALIST ......
Actually this is our mistake that we have promoted the media in such a favoritism behavior !!!!!
therefore, such a superb talent has been avoided by us ......... Media should take some steps & should stop favoritism in stars , all stars of Pakistan should be treated as equal !!!!!!
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 06:51pm
With sincere apology to Dawn, I would say that this is a true example of how the modern day media works and projects particularly the electronic and the viral media and this have become a common practice everywhere in the world to project only those people who are in the limelight. We are living in a very materialistic era where marketing aspect for everything comes into play instantly and where everyone likes to "Worship the rising Sun". Sara Nasir deserves the same what Naseem Hameed has achieved.
Thanks
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 07:15am
I have Also heard that Naseem Hameed has a strong back of some Political Parties but am not sure hopeful that this Rumor will go wrong.
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 09:19pm
I dont know if public wants to see Naseem Hameed :S
Recommend
0
Jul 14, 2010 10:07pm
What about the gold medalists from Balochistan who were boxers. I think they deserve same limelight as any other gold medalist in Pakistani team.
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 04:55am
Lolz, I did not know both the girls either. This is you the media told me (us) about that runner. So this is humble request to media to cover both winners. i am afraid how much stuff media hide from us in many cases!
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 05:06am
I don't know why they are making this girl celebrity a lot instead we have a lot of talent present in Pakistan.
My Friend Name Ali Amir Took Silver Medal in Asian Games in 100 meter men event But no 1 knows him :S am confused and there are many other sports person's there in Karachi who broke many records but this will ruin the Other Talents Interest in Sports event's they should encourage all take every 1 with them.
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 09:02am
Even if media tell us about these personalities we dont care them becoz we only care for cricket. there is no need to blame media. Media do tell us about these events and personalities and never hide them
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 09:12am
Rasheed (Asian Indoor Silver Medalist)
Mohsin (SAF Games Gold Medalist)
Zaffar (Gold Medalist)
Basharat (Gold Medalist)
These all Guys are from my friend circle but don't know why these guys are UNDERGROUND :(
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 09:25am
I would agree with many others that it all depends on focus by media. Luckily Miss Naseem got this opportunity by coming into a TV advertisement, that Miss Sana could not. But we should appreciate the company engaged Miss Naseem and should encourage other businesses to support in hilighting such events and national icons.
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 10:01am
I agree wid Faisal that we overshadow other due to ones extended personality traits.....even I have heard for the first time that a woman champion also exists for Karate in Pakistan nobody had even mentioned it before. It
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 10:27am
Hello Faisal
I read it and agree with you as i only heard Naseem's name and not Sara' and therefore, it is utmost important for media to show and share the readers in the balanced manner!
Thanks
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 12:10pm
Well, Sana, Sara is my cousin and I often meet her in my village. And to be honest, the sports board etc. felt that politically it was easier to promote Nasim. And I do think that sara has had something taken from her by not giving her the exposure she truly deserves. If you can arrange for any such interview, please do hit back. It will be easily arrangeable.
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 01:46pm
We play other sports but cricket, since when??
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 02:34pm
Good that some business houses are helping her but they can do the same through cash to the other gold medalists. Well, she will now get a ticket for Provincial Assembly in the next coming elections from a powerful party. In fact all gold, silver and bronze medalists in this country must be looked after in a dignified way. These are the people who bring smiles, joys and respect to our country through their hard work and efforts. We need healthy activity in all form of sports and games.
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 04:42pm
It is a great achievement they deserve lot and lots of congratulations we are proud for these ladies. In a society where girls are not allowedto go out this is a grat news thank you Mr Faisal.
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 07:32pm
This is all very good for the games and the people of pakistan,in foreign countries as we have a very bad reputation,now its media and the people in power to take over and make things happen,as these guys have done it and to follow through is important as, time passes by and this all will be one the glorious past,so before this happen people should wake up and make a trend to do other stuff rather than only,loving cricket we should love the sport in generale but again,if we do that than there will be no difference between us(pakistanis) and the west,so until than we will have the lone gold medalist boys and girls and most of the populaton wont give a damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend
0
Jul 15, 2010 07:42pm
I agree to some extent but it's all about marketing, hype, environment and personality of the person. Even parents are unable to keep a balance among their own kids, there are favorite and less favorite kids in a family. It's just fact of our life.
Recommend
0
Jul 16, 2010 07:46am
both females are our proud we dont let them lose. ups & downs comes however it doent mean one is greater to another they are genius. ilove them
Recommend
0
Jul 16, 2010 06:13am
I think another Cellular Company made a campaign and introduce her through them. We Pakistani proud This karate kid Sara Nasir
Recommend
0
Jul 16, 2010 05:13am
Yeah my friend aftab you are right you will gonna see her in next provincial elections :P
Recommend
0
Jul 16, 2010 05:15am
It appears society is opening up and women sports achievments are cherished in a same way, really encouraging.
Recommend
0
Jul 16, 2010 05:51am
great girls doing well means country doing well
Recommend
0
Jul 16, 2010 05:41pm
BROTHER WAQAR I am truly agree with your statement !!!!!!
there is a lots of chance & possibility that media may hide important stuff from general public !!!
because we as a general public cannot get all news from all over the world, this is the electronic media which convey us & aware us about the event ... If they will hide something from us then ................
Recommend
0
Jul 17, 2010 01:55am
Both the girls are pride of nation,though we only promote CRICKET, where there is only humilation and disgrace....
Recommend
0
Jul 17, 2010 06:53am
faisal both are winner we agreed but in ths past we have alot of karate gold medalist this is the first time Naseem got gold madel in athlatic history of pakistan i.e. nation proud her delighted!.
other wise you highlighted very strongly.
Recommend
0
Jul 17, 2010 07:41pm
Thanks for bringing the achievements of Sara to light! Indubitably, she is an icon and a true hero in her own right and hard work should always be recognized esp. by the downtrodden and oft-neglected segment of the Pakistani society. i.e. women
Although Army sponsored the training of both females, the tale of Naseem Hamid is a true rags to riches story since her family hails from the slums of Karachi and can not only give the less-fortunate members of Pakistani society a reason for optimism but also their posterity.
Long Live Pakistani Women!
Recommend
0
Jul 18, 2010 07:26pm
FK- thanks for writing about this....the mini documentaries are a wonderful tribute, indeed! :)
Recommend
0
Jul 19, 2010 05:02am
I am very proud to say that Naseem Hameed and Sarah Nasir are the shooting stars of our Pakistan, I also agree with the statements of Faisal Kapadia, Pakistan's image is being destroyed by our own people, since we always like to show the negative picture of Pakistan, it is also our duty to show the other side of picture of Pakistan as well, which is Sarah Nasir and Naseem Hameed!... you girls rock and made us feel proud for both of you girls! ...Pakistan Zindabad !:)
Recommend
0
Jul 20, 2010 06:44am
Despite the violation of their fundamental rights, Pakistani women have always brought glory for their country. Whether its sports, literature or anything. The chauvinistic approach has to die so that our women can bring more pride to us.
Recommend
0
Jul 22, 2010 02:29pm
Sarah Nasir is not only a Karate SAF Gold Medalist but she holds another record to be first ever Pakistani women Marshal Art player to get a Gold in SAF Games.
Recommend
0
