KARACHI: Naseem Hameed Football Academy has gone on to win the KE Girls Football League that was held in Karachi. Naseem Hameed FC defeated Marta Women Football Club in the extra time on penalties by 2-0 to clinch the trophy and a prize money of PKR 100,000.
8 football clubs from around the city participated in this tournament, which was the first corporate backed girl’s football league. 128 young female footballers participated in this event which gave the women’s football a much needed boost with regards to preparing young female footballers for the future.
The tournament was jointly organized by K-Electric and Naseem Hameed Football Academy. The participating teams included Naseem Hameed Football Academy, Aga Khan Gymkhana, Young Muslim Women Football Club, Marta Women Football Club, Karachi Kickers Football Academy, Mohsin Gilani Football Academy, Elite Sports Academy and the Social Bond FC.
Deputy Director ESG & Sports Marketing – Zehra Mehdi stated that, “The successful conclusion of this tournament has made K-Electric the first corporate entity in Pakistan to take such a valuable initiative, aimed at encouraging women’s participation in football and other sports. Watching these young female footballers dominate the football pitch was a sight and such leagues would definitely encourage more stars to emerge.”
The closing ceremony was graced by many dignitaries such as the Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs Dr. Niaz Abbasi who was also the Chief Guest for the occasion. Also present was Naseem Hameed who is a Pakistani track & field athlete and won a gold medal in the 100 meters race at the South-Asian Games in 2010. Former Minister for Sports Balochistan, Col. (R) Younus Changaizi was also present along with senior officials of K-Electric.
The Chief Guest addressed the ceremony and said, “I appreciate the role of K-Electric in encouraging women’s participation in football, boxing and other popular sports at the grass-root level. Many of these young contenders are promising great potential to excel on an international scale, with a little more support and guidance.”
In 2016, KE had also organized the first ever ‘Girls Boxing Championship’. Creating various powerful platforms to engage different segments of the population. KE is empowering the youth and giving back to the society by generously providing the necessary resources to promote competitive sports. Over the last six years, the continued success of the annual ‘KE Lyari Football League’ has channeled the energies of thousands of football-enthusiasts and produced dozens of national and international players from this under-privileged community. Sports Desk
