June 14, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 09, 1429

KARACHI, June 13: Sindh Minister for Sports Dr Mohammad Ali Shah announced on Friday that he would be providing free football kits to young enthusiasts at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) summer camp, being held at the People’s Sports Complex from June 13 to Aug 1.

The sports minister, when notified of the problems being faced by the boys on the first day of the camp, said that he would provide new football kits free of cost to the boys from his own pocket.

Earlier, the boys ranging from ages 13 to 18, most of whom hail from Lyari had reported to the camp in worn-out shoes and clothes not fit for playing soccer.

While confirming the announcement, Hamid Ali Khan, PRO to the minister, said that “Shah Sahib when told about this, immediately promised the 150 or so boys that he would be presenting them all with the proper gear in the next three to four days. After all, nothing should come in the way of the children’s love for sports,” he added.

While the problem of playing clothes, shoes and protective gear has been taken care of by the sports minister, the boys also faced another hurdle on the inaugural day regarding the supply of fresh water and refreshments.

The camp is being held under the auspices of AFC’s youth development talent hunt programme and Pakistan Football Federation in collaboration with the Zonal Football Association Zone-IV (South).