Heatwave Challenges Pakistani Female Athletes in Jacobabad

Summary:
In Karachi, Pakistani student Aqsa Shabbir, a dedicated field hockey player, is struggling with the intense heatwave hitting the region. Living in Jacobabad, Sindh province, where temperatures recently reached 52 degrees Celsius (126 Fahrenheit), Shabbir faces additional obstacles to her training. The oppressive heat, coupled with cultural and religious restrictions against women exercising in public, limits her ability to train effectively. The lack of adequate sports facilities and frequent power cuts exacerbate the situation, impacting her performance in upcoming tournaments. Shabbir and her fellow athlete, Haseena Soomro, express their frustration as the extreme weather conditions, linked to climate change, make it increasingly difficult to stay active and play their best in a country with limited support for women in sports.