Fida Fathima to Qatar: The Inspiring Story of an Emerging Footballer

An Emerging Footballer, Fida Fathima, is getting ready to fly to watch the Qatar World Cup H group match between Portugal and Uruguay – one of the much-awaited matches with bated breath- on November 28  at Lusail stadium. The football World was mesmerized after watching Fida’s virtuoso performance, in which she emulated Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature free kick and celebration.

In August, the video of her free kick and celebration went viral on social media, a bit taken from the friendly match that occurred in her school as a part of the Indian independence day celebration. Afterwards, V. Shivan Kutty, the General Education Minister of Kerala shared the viral video via his official Twitter page and praised her for her prowess.

An awesome free kick by Fida Fatima, Class IX student of Malappuram Tirurkkad AMHSS. During a friendly match organised as part of the school’s Independence Day celebrations. Congrats and love. pic.twitter.com/WLsSZZc6gq

— V. Sivankutty (@VSivankuttyCPIM) August 18, 2022

Subsequently, Mosafer Travel and Tourism’s Dubai spokesperson Firos Nattu contacted Fida’s family and informed them that the travel company was equipped to take her to watch the match. Fida is an emerging footballer who studies in 9th grade and attends football practices at AMHSS school in Thirurkad, Malappuram. To become a footballer was a long-held hankering of Fida Fathima; now it’s going to be realised. The lack of sufficient facilities and habitat prolonged her dream for quite some time.

All this began when she expressed her craving dream to become a football player someday, during a momentary self-introduction session in her classroom.  On that account,  AMHSS Thirurkad staff and school management planned to set up a women’s football coaching camp with the help of the PTA. Now the camp has been running successfully with the aid of almost eight football trainers who have owned either C or D licenses from the All India Football Federation. Physical education teachers C.H Jaffer and Shameel are the leading masters behind this victorious journey.

The track record of Fida Fathima can’t restrict to mere a footballer, she had already imprinted her marks on both curricular and co-curricular activities. Furthermore, she had managed to bag copious scholarships throughout the preceding academic years.

“I started my football games with my cousins.  Although my parents were much concerned about my studies, they encouraged me to wear boots on my legs. Honestly, they are my true inspiration and power source. Nadia Nadim, the professional football player from Afghanistan and brand ambassador of UNESCO,  has largely influenced me into the bargain,” Fida Fathima said to Footy times. “Actually, I was over the moon when I got informed about the chance to watch world-acclaimed footballer CR7’s performance and the match. Now I am counting the days,” she added.

Her father Shihabudheen M.V, Imam of Aripra Juma masjid and an Islamic preacher is also a football maniac. He used to play in the evenings with natives irrespective of age. “Every cleric should engage with sports and other social activities so as to guide the young blood to the virtuous path”, he says.

Now the time has come; all the kith and kin, school staff and natives are receiving her with open arms for her triumphant pavement ahead of becoming a footballer.