Shahida Raza, a Pakistani women’s hockey player, was among the migrants killed in an accident in Italy.
Shahida, aka Chintu, is a Pakistani hockey player representing Pakistan internationally and domestically.
According to sources close to her family, the Quetta-based athlete was a single mother following her divorce after a terrible divorce. So Shahida chose the path of illegal immigration to Europe for a better future.
In addition to hockey, she represented Pakistan in football as well. Shela Raza, Vice President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Tanzil Ameer Cheem, Secretary of the Pakistan Women’s Wing, and others affiliated with hockey have expressed sorrow over her passing.
Read: At least 33 dead in southern Italy after a migrant shipwreck
“Pakistan Hockey Federation President Brigadier R. Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, General Secretary Haider Hussain, Women’s Hockey United President Syeda Shela Raza, GM Women’s United Tanzeela Amir Cheema express their condolences to the family of former international women’s hockey player Shahida Raza (Chintu) who died in the accident and seek her forgiveness,” the PFF stated in a Tuesday press release.
At least 59 migrants, including Pakistanis, perished after their overcrowded boat capsized in rough waters near the southern Italian region of Calabria, according to officials. According to local authorities, two Pakistanis and a Turk were arrested in connection with the event and are suspected of smuggling up to 200 migrants.
