DENVER – Former University of Denver women's soccer goalkeeper Maria Khan (Aurora, Colo.) earned a call-up to the Pakistan Women's National Team for a camp last month.
 
The national side was preparing for the 2021 Asian Women's Football Cup, which serves as a qualifier for the 2023 Women's World Cup.
 
Both Khan's parents are Pakistani, making her eligible for dual nationality. Maria's grandfather Hashim Khan was the first national athlete of Pakistan. He represented the country as a Squash player, and is considered one of the greatest Squash players of all time. Hashim ended his career as a seven-time British Open Champion, as well a winner of Canadian, U.S. and Australian Opens.
 
"Watching my grandfather while I was growing up and the work he was doing with the youth in the country always solidified my ties with Pakistan and the development of women's and girls' sports in underprivileged areas," Maria Khan said. "Having the opportunity to represent Pakistan means much more than just playing on the international level. It gives me the chance to try and do something similar to what my grandfather did - use Western experience to bring back to the country and help develop the youth. I know that I do not have many more years of playing left, so for me now it's more about building the relationships with the federations and introducing them to the benefits of good coaching and resources."
 
Outside of her time in the Pakistan National Team Camp, Khan plays and resides in Dubai, where she currently works for Ford Motor Company's head regional office for the Middle East and Africa.
 
"I will forever be grateful to the Hookers (Jeff and Katie) and Kris Peat for everything they have done for my development as a player and student," Khan said. "The University of Denver has given me the tools as an athlete and working professional to succeed on and off the pitch. The soccer program at DU always required goalkeepers to be just as fit and strong on the ball technically as the field players. This expectation aided in my transition of a goalkeeper at DU to a center midfielder for Pakistan."
 
Khan's relationship with the football federation in Pakistan only continues to grow throughout her time overseas.
 
"The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has faced numerous challenges politically and financially, similar to many other emerging countries and football federations," Khan said. "FIFA has been working closely with the PFF to help restore football activities for the country and this national team camp was the first official football activity for women's soccer in seven years. My experience at the national team camp was something that I will cherish for a lifetime. The reason being, there always seems to be a preconceived notion that women's sports in countries like Pakistan are non-existent and that the women are oppressed. However, I feel it is quite the opposite based on my experience over the past few years. Despite the lack of resources and funding into women's sports in Pakistan, the level of raw talent is amazing. The future generations of female soccer players in the country is extremely bright and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the girls come to the U.S. to participate in the NCAA and take advantage of the opportunities that college soccer has to offer."
 
Khan played in 24 matches in her collegiate career, making eight starts, earning seven wins and making 47 saves. The Overland High School product was part of the 2012 team that made the program's first run to the NCAA Round of 16 with wins over Colorado College and Maryland.
 
Raised in Aurora, Colo., Khan urges younger soccer generations in the United States not to take their experiences for granted.
 
"Don't miss practices because "you don't feel like it" or "aren't in the mood", take strength and conditioning seriously and focus on nutrition and recovery early in your career," Khan said. "We are very fortunate in America to have the education, opportunities and resources at our disposal, countries like the United Arab Emirates & Pakistan, aren't as lucky."
 
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