SAHIWAL: The goalkeeper of Pakistani street child football team was accorded a warm welcome upon his return to his native town of Chichawatni on Wednesday afternoon.

Muhammad Ibrar Bari had participated in the 3rd Street Child Football World Cup 2018 held in Moscow, Russia. The tournament was held ahead of Fifa World Cup Russia 2018.

Teams from 24 countries with more than 250 players participated in the tournament. In the final of the world cup, Uzbekistan beat Pakistan, which had beat Indonesia in the semi-final 5-4 in a nail-biting match. Bari being the goalkeeper had saved one goal in additional penalty shootout.

He reached Chichawatni on a private company bus where hundreds of his fellow villagers, class fellows and teachers were waiting to receive him.

His convoy took a round of various areas of Chichawatni, including College Road, City Bridge, Main Bazaar and GT Road and then towards his village 111/7-R through Oukainwala Road. His family and villagers showered him with rose petals and currency notes.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2018