Monday, September 11, 2006

Carla: Breaking Cultural Boundaries
It’s a long way from Australia to Pakistan as the crow flies. But in cultural terms, the difference is light years. An Australian woman can play any sport she damnwell pleases without raising an eyebrow. In Pakistan traditional values frown – a deep, furrowed frown – on a woman participating in any such masculine activities, such as squash.

Carla Khan knows all about those deep-routed prejudices, even though she is a second generation Brit. She was born in London, like her father Wasil. His father -Carla’s grandfather - is the great Azam Khan, brother of Hashim, the two legendary players who started the Khan dynasty in squash 50 years ago. While her father and mother provide unlimited encouragement in her dream to become world champion, granddad Azam does not approve. It is not something she can shrug off with a ‘to hell with you’ attitude. One of the Pakistan cultural values that she adheres to and enjoys is that of the family as the center of life. Read the complete story here >>

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