LAHORE, July 20 -- Ayesha Khuram's remarkable rise from a beginner at Pakistan Rugby Union's Asia Rugby "Get Into Rugby" programme to becoming the inaugural captain of the newly formed Muslimah Rugby Team in England is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of rugby.

Ayesha was first introduced to the sport through an Asia Rugby grassroots "Get Into Rugby" session organised by the Pakistan Rugby Union and Lahore Rugby Football Club in Lahore. What began as an opportunity to try a new sport soon developed into an inspiring journey of dedication, leadership and excellence.

After moving to the United Kingdom, she continued playing rugby at school before joining Fullerians RFC, where she progressed through the Under-16 and Under-...