Nadiya Nighat: Kashmir’s unstoppable female footballer

Writing a new chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir Women s football, top female footballer cum coach of the UT team, Nadiya Nighat has now joined Kerala Women’s League.

Last month she signed for Don Bosco FC to play in Kerala Women’s football league at Thrissur, Kerala.

She has been a prominent figure in the team that has been doing well in the top professional league of Kerala that involves teams from the League side like Gokulam Kerala FC.

“It has been good so far I am enjoying my time in the top women’s professional league in the country. I am learning new things and my game is getting better day by day,” Nadiya Said.

“Soon after representing J&K in the Senior National Women’s Championship that was held in Kerala, I received offers from the club to play for them in the league. Being professional I found it exciting to explore new destinations and improve my game, so I readily agreed,” Nadiya said.

It is not the first time Nadiya has been involved with outside J&K teams to play in professional leagues.Previously she has played in Karnataka Women’s League, Delhi Women’s League as well.

“As women football is not that much developed inJ&K, I look for the opportunities and that is why I play in outside leagues,” she said.

Nadiya started playing football in the year 2007 and went on play at sub-junior and U-19 level for J&K. “It was not an easy decision but I loved the game and none could stop me from playing it. Initially hesitant, my family has been fully supportive since and allowed me to play the game that I love,”she said. Nadiya has represented J&K senior side in Nationals in 2015, 2018, and 2021.