Golfing In Green
Aania Farooq is one of Pakistan’s top female golfers—a seven-time consecutive winner of the CAS Open Golf Championship and a national titleholder. She is also a dentist-in-training at Altamash Institute, though she pursues dentistry side by side with golf professionally. Farooq plans to attend Q School for the LPGA or European Tour after completing her studies, a goal she’s steadily working toward after years of national success.
Farooq began playing golf at the age of 12, transitioning from football after a serious leg injury. Though peers often saw golf as unconventional for someone her age, she remained focused. She describes golf as central to her life, expressing a willingness to go anywhere and do whatever it takes to pursue her passion.
Balancing her professional aspirations in golf with the demands of dental school has shaped Farooq’s disciplined routine. She consistently woke up early in the morning and prioritized training over socializing, often dedicating long hours to the golf course after school, regardless of the weather. Farooq believes that her hard work and sacrifice were worth it.
Family support has been central to her journey. Her father regularly accompanied her to tournaments across the country, helping her strategize and walk practice rounds. She grew up during a time when few girls played sports in Pakistan, and her parents strongly encouraged her to pursue athletics. She credits her father as playing a major role in her development, alongside the support of her coach, mother, and sisters.
In Pakistan’s cricket-dominated sports culture, visibility for other disciplines remains limited. Farooq believes that while cricket may dominate the national spotlight, other sports deserve their share of attention. She emphasizes that recognition builds confidence in athletes, and the lack of it can be discouraging. Farooq cites fellow golfer Ahmed Baig as an example—an athlete who excelled internationally but remains under-supported at home. She believes that promoting diverse sports strengthens both Pakistan’s global image and internal development.
“If I’m an athlete and I’m getting the amount of recognition that I require and that I deserve, I would actually give in my 120% to become better… so that the people who watch me or follow me… become aware that there are other sports besides cricket.”
Farooq takes pride in representing Pakistan abroad. She recalls winning a team trophy in Vietnam and wearing the national green coat during a layover in Thailand, where fellow Pakistanis congratulated her team—even if many didn’t recognize golf as the sport. Young fans occasionally ask for autographs, a gesture that affirms her growing role as a source of inspiration.
Reflecting on her early years in golf, Farooq shares advice she would give her younger self: to have taken the game more seriously from the start. She began at 12 and a half but believes those first two years lacked the intensity needed for serious competition. “Girls abroad start training at four or five and become strong competitors by 11,” she notes. She believes that an earlier and more focused start would have improved her current standing.
One of Farooq’s proudest moments came in 2016, when she won the National Amateur Golf Championship of Pakistan at just 16. She defeated a player who had remained unbeaten in the tournament for six years. The win was not just about the title, she says, but the realization that she had the potential to compete—and win—at the highest level. That moment marked a turning point in her journey, signaling a promising future for both Farooq and women’s golf in Pakistan.
As Farooq pushes boundaries in golf, which other Pakistani athletes inspire you? Let us know in the comments!
This feature is brought to you in partnership with Gatorade Pakistan.
This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.
