In an inspiring achievement, five Bengali girls from Machar Colony, one of Karachi’s most marginalized neighborhoods, secured first place in the junior freestyle cheerleading category at the International Cheerleading Festival in Russia, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Representing the Imkaan Welfare Organisation (IWO), these girls submitted a video performance as part of the festival’s online format, which allowed global participation without the need for travel or formal identification documents, a major barrier for many in their community.
Victory Beyond Borders
Tahera Hasan, director of IWO, shared the joyous news on social media. “We were able to participate because the event was online, and the lack of identity documents was not a hurdle this time,” she explained. She emphasized that the girls’ stateless status, often a hindrance to both national and international opportunities, didn’t stop them from shining on a global stage.
“This win reaffirms our belief in the potential of these children,” Hasan said. “It strengthens our resolve to continue fighting for their right to identity and equal opportunity regardless of their ancestry or legal status.”
Invisible Talent from an Overlooked Community
The girls, part of Imkaan’s gymnastics and cheerleading squad, live in Machar Colony, Karachi’s most densely populated informal settlement, home to over 150,000 residents, primarily Bengali-speaking families. Despite being born and raised in Pakistan, many of them lack any form of citizenship or documentation, leaving them legally invisible.
Hasan expressed concern over how these children are viewed by the state: “Despite their talent and hard work, our government does not recognize them as citizens. They don’t have ID cards or passports. They are not accepted by any country.”
Imkaan’s Mission for Inclusion and Change
Founded in 2014, the Imkaan Welfare Organisation works to combat statelessness and empower vulnerable communities. The NGO runs a legal aid clinic focused on identity issues and operates several critical services, including a children’s learning center, a maternity home, and a community health center.
Through sports, education, and advocacy, Imkaan is not just giving children a space to grow it’s giving them a voice.