Introduction
Zainab Barkat is a terrific wheelchair Table Tennis player of Pakistan, who shown incredible performance in National events through her hardwork and brilliant skills. She born on 18th August, 1990 in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. She started her ping pong career on 2nd February 2005 from Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar & won her first GoldMedal in 2nd Natioanl Paralympic games 2008. She completed her matriculation from Old Froniter Model High School Peshawar, FA as private candidate from Peshawar Board and currently enrolled in Bachelor in Arts from Allama Iqbal Open University.
- Zainab has tremandeous table tennis career and remained unbeaten in national table tennis para championship scince 2008.
- Zainab Barkat is a talented young and motivated table tennis player from Peshawar KPK, Pakistan, who represents Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa table tennis team in different provinces & National events.
Aim and Mission
Zainab aim is to keep Pakistan on peak of success and become Paralympic Gold-medalist. Her mission is to motivate other PWD’s (person with disabilities) that they are capable to achieve biggest and engage them in sports. Her aim is to empower Women with disabilities in field of sports, education and realize them that they are not locked behind the bars of community restrictions.
Struggle
Her life is best struggling example in this male dominant society. Fell victim to the crippling polio virus at the age of one, and underwent three major spine surgeries. Zainab Barkat fell prey to the crippling disease at the age of one and underwent three major spine injuries. Her first operation was 16 hours long where surgeons in Lahore put two rods in her back.
“After a year, they operated on my spine again since screws keeping the rods intact had become loose. Three years after my 2nd operation, the rods broken inside my body and I could not move at all due to severity of pain.” Barkat said.
Her zeal for game triumphed. Zainab Barkat belong to a middle class family practicing her passion was extremely expensive and difficult because their were no ramps in training centers. She struggled hard but didn’t lose hope and finally become a champion.
Profile and Achievements
Zainab Barkat has participated in Local, inter District, inter provincial land National events and have won many championships.
| S.No | Participated in the Events | Years | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | 2nd National Paralympic Women Games Peshawar | 2008 | Silver |
| ii | 2nd National Paralympic Women Games Peshawar | 2012 | Gold |
| iii | Islamabad Sports Festival | 2012 | Gold |
| iv | ANF Peshawar Table Tennis Championship | 2012 | Gold |
| v | National Paralympic Games Peshawar | 2014 | Gold |
| vi | 2nd KP junior & Open all Pakistan Table Tennis Championship | 2015 | Gold |
| vii | National Ability Sports Festival Peshawar | 2017 | Gold |
| viii | All Pakistan Sports Festival Abbottabad | 2017 | Gold |
| ix | All Pakistan Sports Festival Abbottabad | 2018 | Gold |
| x | National Ability Sports Festival Peshawar | 2018 | Gold |
Coaching, Technical and Professional Courses in table tennis and disability sector
Zainab has taken coaching and professional courses from following bodies/ organizations or associations.
- ( FOP) Friends of Paraplegic
- ( PCP) Paraplegic Centre, Peshawar
- Absar Welfare Foundation( AWF)
- WHO
- RCPD(Rehabilitation center for disabled persons)
- Technical college Hayatabad
- KPK Table Tennis Association
- WAS( Wheelchair Association Of Sports)