KARACHI, Aug 15: Sports 360’s Premier League Football (PLF) kicks off on Saturday with Karachi United facing Shahzad Mohammadan Malir at 6.00pm here at the National Coaching Centre.

The tournament featuring 16 clubs, namely, Usmanabad Union, Mauripur Baloch, Korangi Rangers, Hyderi Baloch, Hazara Mohammadan, Baloch Mujahid, Ghani XI, Lal Baksh Memorial, Sharafi Mohammadan, Maymar Sports, Gharibnawaz Dalmiya, Aurora FC, Nazimabad FC, Gulshan SC, Karachi United and Shahzad Mohammadan Malir, will continue till Jan 17, 2009.

Some 120 matches would be played until December when all the teams play each other on a single league basis.

The second phase comprises the playoffs in which the top eight teams would fight it out on a knockout basis.

National Coaching Centre, Korangi Baloch Stadium, City District Government Karachi (CDGK) Stadium, the DHA Ground at Khyaban-i-Rahat along with various other local Karachi stadiums have been selected as the venues for holding the matches.

Now in its sixth year, the PLF, has been somewhat revamped in order to offer more incentives to the players to promote professional sports in Pakistan.

There is a one million rupees prize for the winning team along with more cash prizes for the runner-up, most valuable player, highest scorer, emerging player, best manager, best referee, etc.