British-Pakistani wonderkid Mariam Mahmood has committed her future to West Bromwich Albion Women for another season, according to Sky Sports News. The 19-year-old’s decision comes after the departure of head coach Jenny Sugarman, who left West Brom last month. However, the presence of new head coach Siobhan Hodgetts and former West Brom player Abi Hinton reassured Mahmood of her development at the club.
In an interview with Sky Sports News last year, Mahmood expressed her love for West Brom and her desire to continue growing as a footballer at the club. This caught the attention of the Pakistan scouts, who reached out to West Brom Women about Mahmood’s availability to play for Pakistan. Pakistan’s women’s team recently returned to the international stage after a year-long absence.
Mahmood had an impressive debut season with West Brom, finishing as the team’s top goalscorer. She scored in seven consecutive games and had two of her strikes nominated for the club’s goal of the season award. Mahmood’s performance also earned her a spot in Sky Sports News’ South Asians in Football Team of the Season.
Her journey was further highlighted in a groundbreaking exhibition that showcased the history of South Asian heritage female players in English football. The exhibition was launched at Stamford Bridge before being displayed at an FA Faith and Football event at the home of English football.
Speaking about being part of the exhibition, Mahmood said, It’s an honor to feature in the timeline and to have my story showcased. Our stories matter, and I hope this raises positive awareness and encourages more girls from South Asian backgrounds to take up football.
Former England international and non-independent director of the FA Women’s National Board Eartha Pond praised the exhibition as a celebration of greatness in the game. She emphasized the importance of diversity in terms of mindset, experiences, and cultures within football.
Mahmood’s decision to continue her journey at West Brom showcases her commitment to her development as a footballer. West Brom remains a supportive environment for her, with familiar faces in the coaching staff who have worked closely with her since her early teens. With her talent and determination, Mariam Mahmood holds great potential to make a significant impact not only at West Brom but also on the international stage for Pakistan’s women’s team.
For more stories, features, and videos about South Asians in football, you can visit the groundbreaking South Asians in Football page on skysports.com and the South Asians in the Game blog, while staying tuned to Sky Sports News and their digital platforms.
