KARACHI: As many as thirty-five teams will be competing in the second edition of PPL Balochistan Football Cup, the round matches of which commence from March 10.

The local clubs and district football teams in Balochistan have started the warming up exercises and practice matches across the province.

The round matches, to be played between between March 10-18, will be followed by the final round starting on March 20 across the six provincial divisions of Balochistan including Quetta, Kalat, Makran, Sibi, Zhob and Naseerabad.

The semi-finals will be played on March 31 and final on April 2 at the Sadiq Shaheed Football Stadium, Quetta.

“After the successful PPL Balochistan Football Cup 2016, we are proud to host the tournament again, as per our promise made to the people of Balochistan last year,” said MD and CEO of PPL Syed Wamiq Bokhari.

“This second edition will be the continuation of our long-term commitment to communities, we aim to engage local youth in healthy recreation through football, which is the most popular sport in the province.”

Mohammad Essa Khan, former Pakistan captain, who has been the ambassador of this tournament for both years, said: “Last year’s football tournament revived this sports in Balochistan, where a big tournament was held after a long gap bringing social uplift for the community at grass roots level.”

For the 2017 event, besides Essa, former national footballers Zahid Hameed, Saadullah, Sher Ali, Nasrullah Khan and Mehmood are also the tournament ambassadors.

The government of Balochistan, Pakistan Football Association and Balochistan Football Association will collaborate with the company for managing the event.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2017