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Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour wins hearts after refereeing a girls' ice hockey match in Hunza

Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour wins hearts after refereeing a girls' ice hockey match in Hunza

Pakistani Twitter was all praises for the diplomat for encouraging winter sports in the region.
17 Jan, 2022

Photos of an ice hockey match played by young girls in Hunza's Altit are making the rounds on Twitter and one thing that caught most people's attention was Canadian High Commissioner in Islamabad Wendy Gilmour refereeing the match. The pictures have led to praise for the Canadian diplomat for encouraging winter sports in Pakistan and advocating for female athletes.

Pamir Times, a community news portal of Gilgit and the surrounding mountain areas, shared pictures of the ice hockey match on Twitter, making note of the high commissioner refereeing the match.

Gilmour was quick to re-share it, calling it "an amazing match". She congratulated Altit’s Sports Club And Rising Federation for organising the fourth Winterlude festival. Addressing the young players from Hunza and Chitral she said "my colleagues and I had a blast!"

Pakistani Twitter loved the pictures and flooded the tweet with praise and well wishes. People were excited about winter sports being introduced in Pakistan.

Users were particularly thrilled by the promotion of gender equality. The sport being accessible in remote areas was another plus point.

Twitter users loved Gilmour's role as referee and cheered on the girls of Gilgit-Baltistan.

There was general praise for Gilmour having "rooted" herself in "Pakistan's society and culture."

Someone even asked for ways Pakistani Canadians to donate or contribute to the efforts "in getting more gear and facilities set up."

Others wanted more, like a full blown match, or a team at the Winter Olympics.

One user believed this even merited a documentary!

It is always a matter of pride to see Pakistani girls step up and being given a platform to showcase their talents. We loved seeing the pictures and like other netizens, we want more!

Comments

Aziz Jan 17, 2022 07:39pm
Excellent
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Laeeq Ahmad Jan 17, 2022 08:06pm
Great human!
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Waqas Jan 17, 2022 08:16pm
This is awesome. Thanks for this amazing gesture.
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Imagine001 Jan 17, 2022 08:34pm
This is one of the winter sports people would love to play and watch in Pakistan. Only drawback is that it's an expensive sport for a country like Pakistan. Unless we start making the equipment in Pakistan at a much lower cost, it would take a long time to become popular along with sponsorship by companies like in cricket. Otherwise, only the rich would play ice hockey. Corporate sponsorship is the key!
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well-wisher Jan 17, 2022 08:38pm
Ambassador Wendy you are a great human being at heart. Canada is proud of you for referring. Keep encouraging this sport for women in PK.
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Ibrahim S Jan 17, 2022 09:02pm
@Imagine001 - is it more expensive than our British rulers aristocratic sport called cricket .
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N_Saq Jan 17, 2022 09:49pm
Nice! A good day for Pak and Pak sports.
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Henchi Jan 17, 2022 10:05pm
Expecting our Pakistani Ambassador to Canada to teach Kabadi to Canadians.
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MJ Jan 17, 2022 11:28pm
it goes without saying how important is this. a country canot progress where you paralyse half the population
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Maz Jan 17, 2022 11:29pm
Superb
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Texan Jan 17, 2022 11:33pm
Something sports ministry should have done a long time ago- promote winter games.
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Abbasshah Jan 18, 2022 12:18am
Congratulations Herexcellency,for introducing a new game in Pakistan especially for women’s.A joint club be made with Canada &Norway.
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Anonymouseee Jan 18, 2022 01:02am
Absolutely beautiful.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 18, 2022 07:00am
Great move and wonderful news.
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Taj Ahmad Jan 20, 2022 04:15am
Great, Great, Great....!!!
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