Until a few years ago, Soliha didn’t know a thing about rugby and had never even seen a rugby ball. But today, she claims she is the Kashmir’s first female Rugby coach, and has coached hundreds of school and college girls.
Hailing from Rangpora, Ellahi Bagh area of Srinagar, Soliha has completed her masters in engineering and is also a national level Rugby player who represented Kashmir 12 times on national level.
Soliha, confesses that she has always been into sports and loved playing Rugby.
In 2010, she got selected in “5 Nations Championship”, and was later awarded as best Rugby player of the year by J&K Rugby Association.
“ I believe there is a lot of scope and talent in Kashmiri girls . I have been coaching for the past many years, I believe girls have good talent in all sports and activities, and we just need to believe in ourselves and work hard for better outcomes,” said Soliha. Adding that, I want all girls to feel free and join any sport they want to learn.
In 2017, she played in “Gulmarg Snow Nationals” and won gold medal, and in the same year she played in ‘Bihar Nationals’ where she secured 5th position.
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“It’s not easy for me to balance both students as well as my passion, but it’s is my enthusiasm, due to which i’m able to do justice with my students to focus on their goal.
“I had seen hardships, problems and struggle in my life to achieve my goal but my passion didn’t let me stop. In the beginning of my carrier there was no plan in my mind that I will choose rugby as profession in my life, because I used to play in the beginning just for my own happiness and self motivation, but after knowing about Rugby, i fell in love with this game but after loving this games it comes in my mind that, if you want to get position in the same game it needs proper training and hardwork, which just can be done under the directions of coach’s, after getting training from my association coach’s who always encouraged and helped me,” she said.
Soliha was also selected as Referee in international Rugby match which was held in Pune between Korea and Kazakistan on 2011.
Soliha is the only female from Kashmir who has done “level one referring” and coaching course, which is certified by world Rugby.
Soliha said she has a dream to help her students to reach their destiny, and also requested youth girls to take parts in sports activities.
