Pakistani women are breaking new ground in many fields. In this age of media, these feats are well covered and projected, but still some don’t get the attention they deserve.

Binish Hayat is the first female international hockey umpire from Pakistan. She achieved this distinction back in 2012; no one has been able to emulate her.

Before taking the whistle, Binish had a distinguished playing career. "I always enjoyed playing sports but took to hockey only when I joined the Government College for Women, Wahdat Road, Lahore. I was speedy and mostly played at the left out position."

She made rapid strides with the stick. "In my very first year, 2002, I represented the college in Lahore inter-collegiate tournament; got selected for the Lahore Board and played in the All Pakistan Inter Board Championships. Next year, I was called for the Pakistan camp, and in 2004 donned the national shirt. I played for the national team till 2011." But the national women team’s limited participation in international events meant Binish earned only 10 caps during this period, and had just one overseas tour, Asian Games’ qualifiers in Malaysia (2006).

"On the domestic circuit, I played for WAPDA from 2004-11. We won the nationals all those years. Meanwhile, I developed interest in umpiring. After hanging up my boots, I took up the whistle seriously. I attended a few umpiring courses. My first major event was the girls’ national under 16 event in 2012."

Here as well, it was a meteoric rise. "Same year (2012), I blew the whistle in the national championships. PHF sent me to my first international assignment in December 2012, Women Asia Cup in Singapore. My second tournament was the Asian Challenge Cup in Thailand, in 2013. There, the FIH gave me the official status of ‘International Umpire’ on the basis of my performance."

Since then, Benish has been called for various international tournaments. Last year, she umpired at the SAF Games in India and the Asian Hockey Federation Under-18 in Thailand.

Learning is a continuous process on the field as well as off it. "In 2016, PHF selected me for a high-profile umpiring course in Malaysia run on the sidelines of Azlan Shah Cup, in which there were 24 umpires, including six women. I topped the course -- a matter of great pride for me." Binish is grateful to her family for their support throughout. "Without their encouragement, it wouldn’t have been possible for me. I also owe a lot to my department WAPDA, the biggest employer of sportspersons in this country."

She considers it as her duty to give something back to hockey. Despite her umpiring commitments, Binish has established a hockey academy in the Burki area of Lahore. "I had had the idea for some time but needed support. In January 2016, I was visiting Canada to see my brother. A family friend employed with Canex, a renowned Canadian building supplies company, came to know about my academy dream. He arranged a meeting with Bruce Kehler, President Canex Building Supplies. Mr Kehler, a great philanthropist, graciously agreed to sponsor the academy."

Thus Canex Hockey Academy came into existence. "Girls aged eight to thirteen are picked. The number has reached almost 100. All the players come from underprivileged families. The academy provides them with hockey sticks and shoes as well as food and transportation."

In such a short period, Canex Hockey Academy has performed extremely well on the local circuit. "The academy girls have participated in three tournaments so far: Lahore Inter School (Burki Girls High School), Coca Cola Women Games organised at Ali Institute and Lahore District Championships -- they finished second at all the events."

However, her ambitions in the umpiring sphere have not dimmed. "Umpires are graded on the basis of their performance in every senior international tournament. I secured 7.5 points at the 2016 SAF Games. If I achieve the same number of points in my next senior assignment, I hope to be promoted as ‘Promising Umpire’. That will make me eligible for tournaments outside Asia, including events such as the Women World Cup.

"Umpiring at the top level obviously requires complete comprehension of rules. During international games, I sometimes encounter players who don’t understand English. One has to use sign language or communicate through eyes. For fitness, I do a lot of running.

"I have also done umpiring at men’s games, most recently at the Railways’ Inter Division Championships. That enhances the confidence level.

"At the 2016 SAF Games in the Indian city of Guwahati, I had to stand in a match involving the hosts. I felt a bit tense. But once the match started, it was a routine job.

"Simon Taylor of New Zealand is my favourite umpire. His confidence level and body language is always impressive. Among Pakistanis, Haider Rasool stands out -- has been a great mentor to me.

"Unfortunately, no other Pakistani woman has become an international umpire. It is my desire to see competent women umpires in the country. What to talk of international female umpires, because of the lack of capable women umpires, we often see men standing in the domestic hockey events. I hope some of my academy girls later pick up the whistle.

"My personal wish is to umpire at the Olympics and the World Cup".

Binish has umpired in 36 matches in seven international tournaments.