FOOTBALLING females are preparing themselves for a test of endurance which could land them in the record books.
In March, 40 ladies will attempt to set a women’s marathon futsal record of 10 hours non-stop playing at a Midlands venue.
The event will take place at the Birmingham International Futsal Arena on Saturday, March 10, between 9am and 7pm.
It has been organised by award-winning sportswoman Salma Bi, who is hosting the showpiece to celebrate Women’s International Day, which happens on March 8.
Salma, 25, is better known for her cricketing achievements, but is also a very keen futsal player and captains the Great White Sharks, the first female Asian-Muslim team to compete in the Birmingham Women’s Futsal League.
The futsal marathon will be a fundraiser for two causes – the first ever women’s T10 indoor cricket tournament at Edgbaston on April 28 and also the National Autistic Society (a charity close to Salma who has a young niece who is a wheelchair user).
“We want the event to raise awareness of women’s futsal as well as raise money for two worthy causes,” said Salma.
As there is no official world women’s marathon futsal record, the Birmingham event hopes to lay down a marker for others to try to beat.
Salma added: “The attempt to set a futsal record has already got a lot of heads turning.
“There are plenty of female individuals who believe they can set themselves a challenge and beat it.
“No other women’s futsal arena/team has attempted such a record. This definitely will be one to watch.
“The game will be open to spectators to come and support the girls throughout the day. We hope to raise awareness of female sports around the world and what a way to do it.”
Salma, who is executive director of cricket coaching organisation Believe in M.A.D (Making A Difference), is not settling for nothing.
She hopes to Make the Difference by doing and getting women involved in events nobody has yet attempted.
So far she has a had a great response: This year her efforts will focus on the Futsal 10 hours women’s record and then the T10 Women’s World Cup Indoor tournament (see below).
CRICKET
Cricket is Salma’s biggest love and along with co-founder Khalid Siddique is behind a new coaching organisation called Believe in MAD (Making A Difference) which aims to raise awareness of both girls/women’s cricket and disability cricket.
Part of the initiative will involve hosting a pioneering national Ten10 cricket tournament that invites girls aged 14 and over to participate in a six-a-side World Cup-style competition.
Birmingham-based Salma made the headlines two years ago when she won an Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Asian Sports Awards for her contributions to women’s cricket on a night which also saw world boxing champion Amir Khan and England Test bowler Isa Guha pick up top accolades.
The first Asian female ever to be chosen to represent Worcestershire CC, Salma also plays for Five Ways Old Edwardian’s and Wall cricket clubs and is a level one umpire and level two coach who aims to inspire young girls from ethnic minorities to become involved in cricket.
Her latest venture promises to be her most impactive yet, with the inaugural Ten10 tournament the perfect launch pad.
The Edgbaston Indoor Cricket Centre in Birmingham is scheduled to stage the event on April 28.
Salma needs around £5,000 to host the tournament, which she hopes to raise through the women’s futsal marathon on March 10, Masterclass coaching and sponsorship.
(Main sponsors Great White Sharks Futsal Women’s team and Fiveways Zombies Indoor Women’s Cricket Team).
“We aim to have 12 teams, all provided with a coach,” explained Salma.
“There will be two pools of six teams, each playing five games on a round-robin basis, with progression to the quarter-finals, semis and final depending on points accumulated.
“The idea is to have exciting, fast-paced games and to add extra intrigue, teams who finish on the same points will play-off in a ‘super over’ where each batsman will try to score as many runs as possible off one ball each.
“Players of all abilities will be welcome and each team will be represented by a country name to give the event more of a World Cup theme.
“It will be a day of fun, games and learning, but most importantly involving girls and women playing sports.
“We shall have case studies of people with a disability playing cricket and a special guest attending to present the awards, hopefully an England Women’s player who can share their experiences and Make A Difference.”
Salma is seeking sponsors for an event she hopes will attract local, regional and national media coverage.
Believe in MAD are having their own logos printed and sponsors motifs will also be displayed on banners publicising the tournament. Sponsors logos will also be used on team kits.
As for the future, Salma and Khalid hope to eventually open an indoor cricket academy in the Birmingham area with nets, coaching facilities and regular staging of T10 league matches.
SALMA’S ROLES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:
Change4life British Asian Sports Awards Winner-Outstanding Achievement Award 2009
Coach of the Year runner-up British Asian Sports Awards 2010
Lady Taverner’s Member – Disability Cricket.
Eiman Board Member
Muslim Women’s Network – Big Sister Role Model
Junior Sports Leadership Award
England Cricket Board-Warwickshire Cricket Board Level 2+ Cricket Coach.
Five Ways Old Edwardians Cricket Club Senior Captain and Under-15 girls Club Coach.
Five Ways Old Edwardians Cricket Club Men’s 3rds and 2nd’s Team Player (Only Girl)
Wall Cricket Club (Men’s) 1st Team Player as only girl with younger sister Anisha Bi
Worcestershire County Cricket Club Women’s Senior Squad player.
Marylebone Cricket Club representative Player (Lords CC)
Local leagues Level 2 Cricket Coach.
Warwickshire Cricket Board Level 1 Umpire (only Muslim/Asian Girl in UK).
Great White Sharks Futsal Captain/goalkeeper
Fiveways Zombies cricket team Vice Captain
Haemodialysis Registered Adult Nurse
Executive Director – Believe In M.A.D (Making A Difference)
For more information on this press release or if anyone can offer sponsorship for the T10 tournament contact edinews96@aol.com or call Dave Jones on 07776 498065.
Be Yourself
Be Unique
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‘Queen Ov Speen’
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