KARACHI, Aug 12: The US State Department has expressed delight at the launch of women’s soccer in Pakistan, promising to support the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in promoting the game among girls.

Young Rising Stars – a women’s football club – has been formed under the Youth Enrichment Summer Programme (YESP) which is sponsored by the US State Department.

According to the PFF, the United States Embassy's Minister Counselor for Public Affairs James H. Williams extended full support to the PFF for the promotion and development of women’s soccer in Pakistan.

“We hope to inspire another generation of young girls in the same way that young girls in the US have been inspired by the generations before them,” said James during a send-off ceremony to the Young Rising Stars at the US Embassy premises.

Football coaching, training and fitness programmes for girls in the age bracket of 12 to 20 are funded by the Office of Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs under YESP.

Rawalpindi's Young Rising Stars will be making their debut at the national women’s soccer championship which kicks off from Thursday (Aug 16) at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium.