KARACHI: The KMC Metropolitan Cup Football Tournament 2024 managed by Baldia Uzma Karachi has officially started, with Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab expressing good wishes on the occasion. He emphasized that by promoting sports activities, the fields of Karachi will be populated and the talents of the youth will emerge. Football is the favorite sport of the youth of Karachi, particularly in Lyari, and is also the most popular game played worldwide. Mayor Wahab stated that through the KMC Metropolitan Cup football tournament, efforts will be made to provide the national team with competent players. The formal opening of the tournament was attended by UC5 Chairman Shahid Hussain Baloch and Senior Director Recreation Raza Abbas Rizvi. The inaugural match was played between Jinnah Town and Sadar Town, attracting a large number of fans.
According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the organizing body, a total of 24 teams are participating in the KMC Metropolitan Cup Football Tournament 2024, with 23 teams representing town administrations and one team from KMC. The tournament will award Rs 10 lakh to the winning team, Rs 5 lakh to the second-placed team, and Rs 2.5 lakh to the third-placed team. Additionally, a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh will be given. The matches will be held in football grounds located in seven districts of Karachi, with the semi-finals and finals planned to be played under floodlights.
The Karachi Municipality is taking steps to sponsor and promote all popular sports, including football, cricket, hockey, volleyball, snooker, and kabaddi, as part of their efforts to foster a positive attitude among the youth and attract them towards healthy activities. Organizing the KMC Metropolitan Cup Football Tournament 2024 is part of this initiative, with hopes that the tournament will prove to be the most memorable football event in Karachi’s history and help discover more talented young players. The first match of the tournament saw Jinnah Town triumph over Sadar Town with a score of 4-2 after a thrilling contest.