Karachi: Following the Pakistani youth football team’s second-place finish at a recent tournament in Norway, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has pledged full support for local football development. The Mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to nurturing young talent and enhancing sports infrastructure to build on the team’s impressive performance on the international stage.
According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Mayor Wahab, during a meeting with the players at the corporation’s headquarters, praised the team’s remarkable showing at the Norway Cup, where they secured the runner-up position. The team, under the banner “A Better Future for Pakistan,” competed against 2,200 players from various international teams, advancing to the finals where they faced the Norwegian club Kfum-Kam Oslo. Despite a draw in regular time, Pakistan was edged out in the penalty shootout. Highlighting individual achievements, Wahab noted that Pakistani player Muhammad Kashif was the tournament’s top scorer. In recognition of their efforts, the Mayor announced a cash prize of one million rupees for the team and expressed plans for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to collaborate with the Pakistani youth football team’s management to establish a local football academy.
The Deputy Mayor of Karachi, Salman Abdullah Murad, also emphasized the commitment of the Pakistan People’s Party to promoting sports, ensuring support for young athletes across all levels of competition. Efforts are underway to elevate the performance of district football teams in Lyari and other areas, with the KMC’s own team preparing to contribute players to the national team.