SPORTING COUPLE HAVE BIG PLANS

AWARD-WINNING cricketer Salma Bi is well-known throughout the UK's Asian communities for her remarkable achievements both on and off the field.

However, in 2015 Salma will be working in a new sporting partnership in every sense of the word.

In December 2013, the Birmingham-based sportswoman married head teacher Sohail Mughal in her husband's homeland of Pakistan.

Throughout the past year the couple have been involved in fund-raising to rebuild Zain-Ul-Abideen school in Azad Kashmir, where Sohail is the head.

The school is in desperate need of redevelopment and expansion, with the eventual aim of catering for 1,000 pupils, many of them orphaned children.

Salma has already started working hard in the UK to raise funds for the project. 

In April this year, she will host a 30-hour non-stop futsal marathon at Birmingham International Futsal Arena.

In the past two years, she has already staged 10 and 20-hour marathons for various charities, but this is her biggest challenge yet.

So who is Sohail Mughal?

He is a man who has been nurtured in an environment where he learned the only way to succeed was to work for your goals.

Sohail decided to pursue his career in education. Now a postgraduate and master student, Sohail has achieved more than what once looked impossible. 

His qualifications are: Ssc.Fa.BA.B.ed

Sohail works for a charity organisation in Azad Kashmir as a senior head teacher employed for over four years providing education to over 600 primary school children and supporting numerous teachers to progress in their careers.

Sohail was once offered a police officer's job whilst studying his law course. but always had the passion to offer his gifted and talented character to the next generation to follow.

He turned down the police position as he was Intending to marry Salma and did not want to commit to a long term 10-year contract with the force.

Recently Sohail completed his masters and until recently was part of the examining board setting up exam questions and pushing more potential students to better education.

When Sohail has not been presenting his education he has sport running in his blood.

He is a personal trainer at his local gymnasium, a fitness model, goes running and plays cricket as a batsman-wicket keeper.

Salma said: "Sohail has been through a lot of hardship, but enjoyed the journey to learn on his own and the right way. To fall and still get up. 

"This month he will move to the UK to live with me, but we will often go back for business purposes to achieve our dream of rebuilding the Zain-Ul Abideen school.

"He will convert his teaching degree here in the UK, play cricket and support me as his wife as well as continuing his ambition to rebuild the school back in Pakistan.

"Our motto is 'Not to Achieve One Job But to Conquer all the Jobs in this One Lifetime."

2014 - ANOTHER YEAR TO REMEMBER FOR SALMA BI

AWARD-WINNING sportswoman and cricket ambassador Salma Bi ended 2013 on a real high as she married her dream partner and fellow philanthropist Sohail Mughal.

And 2014 has been just as eventful with local, national and even international success achieved by the Birmingham-based nurse, whose devotion to sport is unstinting.

JANUARY

This year began on an exciting note when Salma staged the unofficial Women's World Dodgeball Championship at the Birmingham Indoor Futsal Arena.

The event featured teams and players from Manchester, London, Brighton and Yorkshire and the overall winners were the Arctic Whales.

Funds were raised for a wonderful cause - Acid Survivors Trust International.

FEBRUARY

February saw Salma in the limelight when she featured in a two-page Profile Special in The Asian Today newspaper, a great supporter of our champion over the years.

In the article, Salma spoke a lot not just about her sport, but also her lifestyle, her work and recent marriage to Sohail, a head teacher in Pakistan who is endeavoring to bring better education facilities to the country.

Salma also revealed in February that there would be a thrilling new development in her annual T10 Indoor Cricket World Cup Tournament.

This year, the competition was to invite men's teams for the first time, and the event would support the Read Foundation.

A registered charity in the UK, Read Foundation originally started work in Pakistan and Kashmir where it runs 340 schools educating 80,000 children, employing 4,000 teachers and looking after 8,000 orphans, making it one of the largest educational NGOs of rural Pakistan.

MARCH

March was a busy month for Salma as she organised the T10 Tournament, which was to take place at the Birmingham Futsal Arena and host four women's and four men's teams.

APRIL

Saturday, April 5, saw 27 women take part in their T10 World Cup, featuring players from as far afield as London, Yorkshire, Walsall and Wales.

The overall winners were Australia, who finished with a 100% record and were deserved champions for a second year in a row. England, India and Pakistan also took part.

There were 24 men involved in their competition and it was the West Indies who emerged as winners, with South Africa and Bangladesh also participating.

MAY

March and April were all about T10 cricket - but May was all about outdoor cricket for Salma.

The first Asian woman to play for Worcestershire, the prolific wicket-taking off-spinner revealed in this month that she had landed a two-year sponsorship deal with SM Cricket, an internationally-renowned firm based in India, but with a base in England through Deal Direct (UK).

SM sponsored the legendary Sachin Tendulkar among others and Salma was also delighted to accept the contract as her husband bears the initials SM.

JUNE

This month saw Salma's cricket progress well, playing for Birmingham club Five Ways Old Edwardians and North Wales team Hawarden Park.

She also took part in an enthralling interview with the Muslim Sports Council, of which she is an ambassador alongside famous names like Saqlain Mushtaq (cricket) and boxers Danny Williams and Haroon Khan.

JULY

In July, Sohail Mughal spoke to this blog about his pride at his wife's cricket achievements and her being nominated in the Women in Cricket category at this year's inaugural Asian Cricket Awards.

AUGUST

Salma and Sohail launched an appeal to raise £20,000 to build a primary and secondary school in a deprived area of Pakistan for up to 1,000 children.

It was also announced that Salma was to organise a 30-hour non-stop futsal marathon in 2015 to raise funds for the school project.

SEPTEMBER

Salma opened her doors to prove her blogs and are not all about her, but embrace all sports people who want publicity - especially women.

We interviewed Ambreen Sadiq, an up and coming boxer from Keighley, Yorkshire, aiming to become the next Nicola Adams.

September was also the month to celebrate another amazing cricket season for Salma.

Her best bowling figures came when she represented Five Ways and opened the attack against Lutterworth CC, claiming 9-6-7-2.

She added to her list of honours when she represented Cheshire based on her performances for Hawarden Park CC.

Salma was also invited to represent southern team Club Cricket Conference against on-tour side Hong Kong, bagging 3-7 in six overs. She now looks forward to going on tour with CCC next year in Barbados.

For Hawarden, Salma made a career best score of 71 and helped the team win their T20 Cheshire League and Cup double.

OCTOBER

One of - if not THE greatest sporting achievement of Salma's life occurred in October.

At the first-ever Asian Cricket Awards staged at Lord's, Salma won the Women in Cricket category.

This delivered international recognition to the spin bowler, who has won many past plaudits and awards for getting more women involved in the sport.

She is not just a great player - she is also a tremendous ambassador for the game.

Player of the Year went to Worcestershire and England's Moeen Ali - so that just proves the quality of guest that graced this event.

For her achievement, Salma received media attention all over the world.

NOVEMBER

In November, Salma announced her 30-hour futsal marathon would be held at the Birmingham Futsal Arena on April 4 and 5, 2015.

She has already hosted and participated in 10-hour and 20-hour non-stop marathons at the same venue over the past two years, raising thousands of pounds for various charities.

This blog also revealed more this month about the main man in Salma's life - Sohail Mughal.

DECEMBER

Salma's main sporting achievements have been about cricket, but in December, Futsal took over the headlines!

The Great White Sharks, formed in 2011 and the first-ever all-Asian female team to compete in the Birmingham Women's Futsal League, won their first silverware when they finished top of the Championship, beating ABCDE FC in their final game.

Sharks had been relegated from the Premiership the previous season, but bounced right back in style, with Vicky Roe scoring an amazing 65 goals for the team.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Other highlights of 2014 for Salma were a place in the final of the Birmingham Sports Awards, plus a visit to Pakistan and a tour of Lahore PCB with Sohail.

Also, on December 20, Salma and Sohail celebrate a year of marriage. Congratulations!

WHAT A YEAR FOR SALMA BI! AND 2015 COULD BE EVEN BETTER!

WHO IS SOHAIL MUGHAL? READ ON........

Who is Sohail Mughal?

Recently we've heard about a new revolution in the sporting world and this is no ordinary setting - this Involves a sporting duo who are making a huge impact on and off the field!

Sohail Mughal has been nurtured in an environment where he learned the only way to succeed was to work for your goals.

Sohail went on to pursue his career in education. Now a postgraduate and master student Sohail has achieved more than what once looked impossible. 

His qualifications are as follows: Ssc.Fa.BA.B.ed

Sohail works for a charity organisation in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, as a senior head teacher employed for over four years providing education to over 600 primary school children and supporting numerous teachers to progress in their careers.

Sohail was once offered a police officer job whilst studying his law course but always had the passion to offer his gifted and talented character to the next generation to follow.

Recently Sohail completed his masters and is now part of the examining board setting up exam questions and pushing more potential students to better education.

When Sohail isn't presenting his education he has sport running in his blood.

He is a personal trainer at his local gymnasium, a fitness model, goes running and plays cricket as a batsman-wicket keeper.

You may have guessed it by now....

He is the perfect match and husband to national ambassador and multi-award winner Salma Bi.

Both husband and wife are full of positive vibes and determined to set a great example for generations to come. 

Leaving a legacy is what they look to do and that is through pushing on their dual project by building the Zain-Ul-Abideen public school which provides education for deprived orphaned children for years to follow. 

Sohail Mughal looks to share his expertise in getting the community together to fund for this great cause whilst Salma will continue to raise money by organising world record-breaking sports events.

When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece. 

Sohail and Salma both know how tough life can be.

Listed in this article are only the highlights of their achievements (read more about Salma's remarkable sporting career elsewhere on this blog) but they still continue to take lessons from all the downfalls they've had during the trying times. 

Good luck to the couple who are not only role models but also great personalities that we need to see more of!

DO NOT MISS THIS!

HERE COME THE GIRLS!

IT'S been two years since Sporting Pathways and MAD Productions brought to the city of Birmingham two unique Futsal events.

Why were they unique? Because they were record-breaking events!

In 2012, Salma Bi, a champion for women's sport, set up the first ever Women’s 10-Hours Non-Stop Futsal Event. 

The game totalled over more than 100 goals, and the success of the event convinced Salma to return a year later and set up an even bigger record - the ‘Return of Revenge Tour’ - which saw women come together and compete in a 20-Hour Futsal World Record Marathon.

Now three years on and after introducing over 300 women to the sport of futsal, hosting eight other sports tournaments including cricket and dodgeball, as well as raising money for various charities, Salma Bi has announced a women-only 30-Hours Futsal World Record Event which will take place on April 4 and 5, 2015.

This event will be the toughest to date and will require women from all over the country to compete and complete this world record! 

The non-stop futsal marathon is scheduled to begin Saturday, April 4, at 12am and finish on Sunday, April 5, at 7pm.

Salma, who also represents the Great White Sharks, a futsal team which first made history as the first Asian team in Birmingham League are heading to London for the National Qualifying Games in March, said: "This event has come back due to the high demand from women across Britain wanting to compete at a high level and break records. We are now recruiting players and encourage women to register their teams ASAP to avoid disappointment."

The event is open to women over the age of 14 and registration fees are £50 per player. 

As always this event will also be fundraising for a charitable cause. 

This year's national Asian Cricket Award winner Salma and husband/head teacher Sohail Mughal wish to build a school for orphan children in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

The money raised will be to help build the Zain-Ul-Abideen Public School.

Salma went on to say: “We need unlimited players of all abilities and women that are set to make history as well as achieve their personal goals.

"We are also looking for businesses to either sponsor or set up stalls at the event and anyone interested should contact us direct”.

So what are you waiting for?! Sign up Now & Join the Force of Women in Sport!!

Footnotes:

·         The event will take place in Birmingham Futsal Arena B19 2LF on Saturday 4^th April to Sunday 5^th April 7pm.

·         Deadline for applications will be Jan 18th 2015, Teams will be announced after this.

·         To register as a team or individual contact Halima Khan on 07849 980 226 or email halima_khan_21@hotmail.co.uk

·         For sponsorship enquiries and organisations who would like to get involved or set up a stall contact Halima Khan on the number and e-mail address above.

SALMA GIVES HER VIEWS ON WINNING "WOMAN IN CRICKET" AT THE FIRST ASIAN CRICKET AWARDS

Salma and Ian Anderson of Deal Direct

Salma and England cricketer Ian Bell
 

Salma and Sohail

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014 LORD'S.....the famous ground in London where every cricketer dreams of making their debut.
A very special place, whether you are a player, spectator or get the chance to rub shoulders with the legends.
This night was a dream come true for Salma Bi as she gained international recognition by receiving the first ever WOMAN IN CRICKET accolade at the inaugural ASIAN CRICKET AWARDS.
Who would have thought all those years ago that a young girl with big aspirations would make her passion a reality?
Started off at school, rejected by her local county squad, minimum coaching and an uphill continuous struggle representing the game as a young Asian/Muslim girl.
Limited support from home as this was breaking barriers, not many Asian role models to look up to whilst growing up.
How times have changed for this determined and inspirational sportswoman.
On October 7 at Lord's Salma recalled her time playing at HQ alongside England great Claire Taylor for MCC v Japan.
The room was filled with many familiar faces and many who once discouraged Salma to continue as they said it takes a match-winner to strive so high.
Salma has never feared fear and perhaps that's why she is so successful today....
Outstanding Achievement at the British-Asian Sports Awards, Top Sportswoman at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, the list is endless.....a true pioneer for women's cricket.
Accompanied by sister Aisha Bi, Salma was overwhelmed to hear her name called out for the WOMEN IN CRICKET AWARD!.
When on stage Salma showed her appreciation for the support of all friends, family, coaches, sponsors and most importantly her husband Sohail Mughal.
She told the audience: "I sometimes attended training sessions without telling my family. I lost social contact with friends through my commitment to my sport.
"Making a balance of playing and working as a haemodialysis nurse has sometimes been difficult, but if you believe in something that strongly you should never give in as all is possible."
Salma added after the event: "When I was on stage, this was not just a moment I will relive for a lifetime, but a moment I realised I've become a pioneer icon, a voice for the women/girls in cricket.
"I didn't just represent myself, I was proud to be honoured on behalf on my parents, my family, my husband, my unborn children but most importantly I was inspiring the next generation to come through and leave a legacy behind."
Salma's sponsors Deal Direct and Sporting Equals were very close supporters for Salma on the night.
Salma added: "A big thank you to Asian Cricket Awards co-founder Baljit Rihal, Jas Jassal, Isa Guha, Club Cricket Conference and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who has encouraged me so much.
"I was most thrilled to see her my student and club player Simran Panesar bring her very first award home as Amateur Player of the Year."
Salma has truly deserved her latest major award after 12 years in the cricket world - we know Salma has made history again!

BELOW ARE ALL HER SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS....

SALMA BI - CREATING PATHWAYS BY MAKING HISTORY

COACHING THE NEXT GENERATION - Warwickshire Level 1 Umpire and Warwickshire Level 2+Club Coach
FIRST EVER MUSLIM/ASIAN SENIOR PLAYER - Worcestershire County Cricket Club senior women’s squad player - first Asian woman to represent the county.
PLAYED AT LORD' S VERSUS JAPAN AND HONG KONG - Marylebone Cricket Club representative player
LEADING SPIN WICKET TAKER IN ALL TEAMS - Five Ways Old Edwardians Cricket Club Women’s League and T20 side and men’s thirds senior player.
FIRST FEMALE PLAYER ALONGSIDE SISTER ANISHA BI - Wall Cricket Club Men’s squad player.
T20 PLAYER -  Tamworth Ladies
LED TO PROMOTION WITH PB 71 RUNS AS OPENING BATSMAN ALONGSIDE SISTER AISHA BI - Hawarden Park CC player and selected for Cheshire CC.
FUTSAL: FIRST ASIAN TEAM IN BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE - Great White Sharks team captain and goal-keeper.
CRICKET: INDOOR CHAMPIONS - Fiveways Zombies captain.
OUTDOOR FOOTBALL: Birch Coppice FC player and Football Futures goalkeeper.

MAJOR AWARDS....
FIRST NATIONAL AWARD PRESENTED BY DENISE LEWIS AND AMIR KHAN: British-Asian Sports Awards 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award winner.                         
British-Asian Sports Award 2010 Coach of the Year runner-up.
Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation Ambassador Awards - runner-up 2012.
Bradford Inspirational Women’s Awards 2013 -  runner-up.
BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT NATIONAL AWARD
Asian Women of Achievement - inaugural first ever Sport award winner 201
PRESENTED BY CLAIRE TAYLOR & CHARLOTTE EDWARDS: OSCA’s Nat West Volunteer of the Year Award 2012 Building Partnerships.
PRESENTED BY IAN BELL: Birmingham Sports Awards winner 2013.
Birmingham Sports Awards finalist 2014 - presented by Hannah England
Asian Cricket Awards 2014 - winner Women in Cricket Award. Presented by Noreen Khan, Isa Guha and Nihal.


SPECIALIST FULL TIME CAREER: Haemodialysis Renal Adult Nursing.
COMPANY DIRECTOR: Believe In MAD |Making A Difference| Founder 2012
PARTNERSHIP: Sporting Pathways Co-Founder (Community Interest Company).

CHARITY - PROLIFIC FUND-RAISER:
EVENT 1: Hosted First Ever Women's Futsal Marathon 10-Hour Non-stop Record 2012
EVENT 2: Hosted Women’s Indoor T10 Cricket World Cup 2012.
EVENT 3: Hosted Women’s Futsal Marathon 20-Hour Record 2012
EVENT 4: Hosted World Dodge Ball 2013.
EVENT 5: Hosted Women’s Indoor T10 Cricket World Cup 2013.
EVENT 6: Hosted World Dodge Ball 2014
EVENT 7: Hosted Women's Indoor T10 Cricket World Cup 2014
EVENT 8: Hosted Mens Indoor T10 Cricket World Cup 2014
Coming next.....                      
EVENT 9: To Host World Record of 30-hours Futsal Marathon 2015!!

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES - GET HER IN THE GAME - raising profiles, getting more youngsters involved in sport.
AMBASSADOR: Asian Cricket Awards, Muslim Sports Council and Deal Direct.                
MEDIA: Badman's Britain, BBC Asian Network, cricket pundit, Sky Sports, Oxford and Cambridge University, All-Out Magazine - national publication half-page feature, columnist for The Asian Today.            
CRICKET HIGHLIGHTS: Practice with England Women's squad training camp pre-Ashes series and bowled to Pakistan Women's batsmen during Ireland tour. Played Scotland, Wales and Holland on tour.
CRICKET SPONSOR: New revolution #SM New Kit #US100 Bat Inspired by Sachin Tendulkar.
MARRIAGE: 2014 - Salma weds head teacher, cricketer and fitness model SOHAIL MUGHAL. The couple are working on the Build A School Project for orphaned children in Pakistan.
Aims: Educate the poor, provide opportunities for female teachers.          
MAKING A DIFFERENCE CHARITY: Hosted eight events. Raised over 400 player profiles, encouraged sports on a national scale, raised thousands for various charities, earned numerous awards, medals.
QUOTES:                                   
When love and skill work together expect a #MasterPiece
Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny
#MakeUseOfYourTimeWisely #ThisIsJustTheStart #Believe

 CONTACT US-YouTube MadProductions Channel http://www.sportingpathways.org/ http://mad-cricket.blogspot.com/ http://great-white-sharks.blogspot.com/ Twitter @Falmersalma Instragram SalmaBiz Salma.biz@hotmail.co.uk Sohailmughal786@hotmail.com




What's next for Salma?
A visit to Cambridge University and the House of Lords has been set.
Salma and head teacher husband Sohail both have made a pledge to build a school for orphaned children in Pakistan which will being education and sports together for decades to come.
Salma is also bringing back the five-a-side futsal marathon. This time to set a 30-hours non-stop record.
Remember the dates and support our ambassador on her outstanding work!
APRIL 4 and 5 - 30 HOURS FUTSAL
SPORTS/EMPOWERING WOMEN FUNDRAISING DINNER (DATE TO BE CONFIRMED).

SALMA'S STANDING IN THE CRICKET WORLD HITS NEW HEIGHTS!

 

 

SALMA BI stood proudly amongst international cricket stars as she received one of the greatest accolades of her career.

The 28-year-old Worcestershire off-spin bowler was a category winner at the first ever ASIAN CRICKET AWARDS, held at Lord's on October 7.

Salma landed the WOMAN IN CRICKET award during a glittering ceremony at the home of cricket staged to celebrate the tremendous contribution to the sport by British Asians.

From international stars to the vibrant amateur game, up-and-coming youngsters, coaches, media, behind-the-scenes staff and unsung heroes were honoured at the Talk Home Mobile sponsored event.

Salma was chosen ahead of promising young county cricketers Sidra Khan and Bhumika Doshi to win her category.

The judging panel included ex-England and Middlesex captain Mike Gatting, now ECB managing director of Cricket Partnerships, and Baroness Warsi, former Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Player of the Year went to Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen Ali, who has made big strides with England over the past year.

Former England captain and now Sky Sports commentator Nasser Hussain won a Lifetime Achievement award.

A delighted Salma said: "I have won many awards in the past, but to be recognised alongside so many great names from the world of cricket made this one of the most special nights of my sporting career."

Salma, a haemodialysis nurse from Birmingham, has won a host of top sporting accolades over the past five years.

She picked up Outstanding Achievement at the British-Asian Sports Awards in 2009 and was the first winner of the Sport category at the Asian Women of Achievement awards in 2012.

Salma has also been shortlisted for numerous other regional and national awards.

The first Asian woman ever to play for Worcestershire, she has claimed 253 career wickets and has represented the MCC and Club Cricket Conference, as well as many club teams, both male and female.