The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would fully support the establishment of a local football academy in collaboration with the management of the Pakistani youth football team, announced Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday.
Wahab emphasised that the new academy aims to help talented players achieve greater success and promote football at the city, provincial, and national levels. He praised the Pakistani youth team for securing second place in the 2024 football championship held in Norway, highlighting their performance on the global stage.
In a meeting with the team at the KMC office, Wahab noted that despite limited preparation, the team’s performance demonstrated the exceptional talent and dedication of Pakistani youth. He commended their ability to bring honor to the nation in any field.
Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, during the meeting, assured support from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for promoting sports and supporting young athletes. He presented the team with an honourary shield and encouraged them to continue improving their game.
Wahab shared that the tournament in Norway featured around 2,200 players from various teams worldwide. The Pakistani team, competing under the banner “A Better Future for Pakistan,” received significant applause for their performance. They scored 26 goals while conceding only five throughout the tournament. In the final, a 2-2 draw led to a penalty shootout where Pakistan was narrowly defeated. Notably, Pakistani players Salman and Shahbaz each scored a goal, and Muhammad Kashif was the top scorer of the Norway Cup.
To recognise their achievement, Wahab announced a prize of one million rupees for the youth football team. He highlighted the popularity of football in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, and noted Lyari’s historic contribution to the national team. Efforts were underway to enhance district football teams in Lyari and other Karachi areas, as well as to improve the performance of the KMC football team to develop national-level players. Wahab expressed optimism that the talents emerging from the Norway tournament would contribute to raising Pakistan’s profile on the international stage.