KARACHI: A football league for the youth was launched here on Sunday that will see a total of twelve boys and seven girls teams participating in it with the final scheduled to be held in mid-December.

The league, named as Standard Chartered-Karachi United Youth League, is part of the bank’s community service mandate to promote sports amongst children. The objective of the league is to provide a platform for youth football teams from across Karachi to come together, break barriers and inculcate the spirit of competition.

The league had originally kicked off at Karachi United Stadium on Sept 23 and the matches have been going on since. A total of 121 matches will be played in eight different locations including Old Golimar, Clifton, Malir, Baldia, Lyari, Korangi and Mauripur and promises to attract football fans from all over Karachi.

The boys league comprises competition in three age groups (Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 respectively). The format is that of a group system from which the top teams qualify for the quarter-finals. The competition also includes a girls tournament to be played on a single league basis in a 7-a-side format with the top two teams competing in the final.

The competition will see a total of 700 boys and girls from across Karachi participating in the matches. In order to increase the standard of the league, official referees and match commissioners have been appointed for every match and awards for best player, top scorer, fair play and match officials will be given.

Imran Ali, CEO Karachi United also spoke on the occasion and said: “We are pleased to promote the sport and much needed competition for our youth. We are particularly pleased with the scope of including a girls and multiple age groups for boys which means we are touching many more lives and families.”

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2017