Sports
Hijab Zahid appointed as Multan Sultans as female GM
The appointment of Hijab Zahid distinguishes her as the sole woman entrusted with the leadership of a T20 format franchise on a global scale.
Lahore: Multan Sultans on Tuesday created history in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by appointing a woman, Hijab Zahid, as their general manager, marking a significant milestone in the league's narrative.
Hijab Zahid, at the age of twenty-eight, stands out as the youngest and inaugural female General Manager in the history of the PSL franchises. Her appointment also distinguishes her as the sole woman entrusted with the leadership of a T20 format franchise on a global scale.
In the past, the role of General Manager at Multan Sultans was held by Haider Azhar.
Reports from various media outlets have indicated that Zahid holds a master's degree in Project Management from the University of Hertfordshire. Furthermore, she brings valuable experience from her previous role as a media manager with Islamabad United.
During her interactions with the media, Zahid expressed, "Establishing authority as a woman is undoubtedly more challenging. There is a cultural resistance when it comes to men following directions from a woman. In certain scenarios, individuals within this industry may not have had prior interactions with women in their lives, which contributes to this unique power dynamic."
She further elaborated, "Therefore, I anticipate that we will engage in numerous conversations and workshops centered around the presence of a woman in a managerial role here. While the corporate sector in Pakistan is accustomed to having women in such positions, the same cannot be said for the realm of sports."
Zahid outlined her future plans, saying, "Our vision is to cultivate individuals as analysts, presenters, and media managers. This initiative will undoubtedly pave the way for numerous women to explore new opportunities."
Ali Tareen hailed Zahid as "South Asia’s first woman GM in men’s cricket." He highlighted that among all PSL teams, Zahid possesses the most impressive qualifications for the role of General Manager.
Ali Tareen also disclosed his plans to hire three female coaches prior to the commencement of the PSL, further emphasizing his commitment to fostering gender equality within the franchise. This groundbreaking appointment and the subsequent endeavors to ensure parity underscore the gradual progression towards a more inclusive landscape in the world of cricket.