Ive Ekeberg
This is exciting, the BBC decided to make a Documentary about the cricket team I play on. Bats, Balls and Bradford Girls is what it's called, and it aired on BBC the 8. January. The Guardian even wrote about it. The documentary is centered around how it is to live as a girl in a modern society like Bradford while keeping in touch with our traditional roots. How cricket helps us live the lives we want to live.
As a young girl in Bradford growing up has not been easy. I always had to be careful of where I went and what I did. Before I started to play cricket, I was afraid of walking alone, thanks to the sport I have become more self-confident. It was my brother that introduced Cricket to me when I was 12 years old. Thanks to him I was able to convince my family to let me play, they were against the idea of me joining the team. Cricket has had a big impact on my life. It has made me realize that I should do things that make me happy, not just pleasing someone else. The sport has helped find time for myself, making time for friends and doing something else than school.
My day usually consists of going to school, helping at home and then playing cricket. My parents also make me help out at the hospital sometimes. I do love the life I am living, but my parents think the future is more important. Of course, I wish to pursue medicine like my dad, but there is more to life than education and work. The future is important, I get that, there is more to life than just planning it. My parents don’t get that. What about living now? A lot of the girls on my team have had similar conflicts with their families, some even worse. Why should we stop playing, when we are so good? We are crossing and beating everything standing in our way: Families, traditions and expectations. We are taking control of our own lives by breaking barriers such as letting girls play sports, while still managing to make our parents proud. We are not just here to play, but to win.
As a young girl in Bradford growing up has not been easy. I always had to be careful of where I went and what I did. Before I started to play cricket, I was afraid of walking alone, thanks to the sport I have become more self-confident. It was my brother that introduced Cricket to me when I was 12 years old. Thanks to him I was able to convince my family to let me play, they were against the idea of me joining the team. Cricket has had a big impact on my life. It has made me realize that I should do things that make me happy, not just pleasing someone else. The sport has helped find time for myself, making time for friends and doing something else than school.
My day usually consists of going to school, helping at home and then playing cricket. My parents also make me help out at the hospital sometimes. I do love the life I am living, but my parents think the future is more important. Of course, I wish to pursue medicine like my dad, but there is more to life than education and work. The future is important, I get that, there is more to life than just planning it. My parents don’t get that. What about living now? A lot of the girls on my team have had similar conflicts with their families, some even worse. Why should we stop playing, when we are so good? We are crossing and beating everything standing in our way: Families, traditions and expectations. We are taking control of our own lives by breaking barriers such as letting girls play sports, while still managing to make our parents proud. We are not just here to play, but to win.
If you want to follow our stories please go watch the documentary on BBC.
Much love Zainab Khan
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/03/i-can-be-myself-the-british-asian-girls-who-found-freedom-in-cricket
The fact that BBC is going to make a documentary about your cricket team is so cool! It really does sound like cricket and the other girls on the team you play on have helped you a lot, and it’s so nice to hear. Keep playing, even though your parents may not agree with it at times. I'll make sure to check out the documentary. Have fun and good luck being on national TV!
SvarSlett- Lauren ‹3
This is so inspiring! Go for it, girl :-)
SvarSlett