LAHORE - Balochistan United clinched the first ever All Pakistan Womens Club Football Championship 2008 when they nailed Rawalpindis Young Rising Star 4-3 in penalties after a 0-0 game last night at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.

The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, Federal Minister for Sports, Najmuddin Khan and Robina Irfan, Chairperson of  Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)s Women Wing were also present on this occasion.

During her speech, Robina hailed PFF President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat for taking concrete steps to boost womens football in Pakistan. She called PFF Presidents work on Women soccer a milestone and hoped that Pakistan will build up a strong national women team.

Patterson announced a grant of $26,420 on behalf of the U.S. Department of State to “continue and expand US support for youth football in Pakistan.

"We will sponsor a summer training and coaching camp for new players so that they can join the enjoyment and excitement of football as it gains popularity in this country,” the Ambassador told cheering soccer enthusiasts.

The US Department of State, through the US Embassy in Islamabad, supported the tournament as part of its global Youth Enrichment Program.

The program, which aims to provide positive educational opportunities for young people to contribute to international cooperation and understanding, sponsored the Young Rising Stars FC of Rawalpindi in 2007-2008.

“This training experience for the football team will serve you in your other activities as well,” Ambassador Patterson emphasized.

“The qualities of a successful team athlete are the same qualities you will see in successful leaders in business, politics, education, and in life.”

The Ambassador congratulated the winning team for its hard work and all other participating teams for their outstanding efforts.

She also lauded the parents of the female players for their “hard decision to allow your daughters to participate in football,” which is not a common sport for girls in Pakistan.

Ambassador Patterson invited the participating female players to consider going to American colleges and universities for higher education. She noted that US universities frequently give scholarships to outstanding athletes.

During the event, Ambassador Patterson presented a “Soccer Training Resource Kit” of training materials and instructional guides to Najmuddin Khan and Robina Irfan.