Published in The News
KARACHI: Karachi Youth football team who last week won the National Under-16 Football Championship at Abbottabad were honoured and rewarded by Osama Sports here at the Shah Faisal Colony Football Ground. Karachi Youth, led by keeper Mohammad Junaid, defeated Abbottabad 2-1 in the final to clinch the crown.
Former Pakistan football team coach Tariq Lutfi was the chief guest on the occasion. Also present were chairman Pakistan Football Referees Association (PFRA) Ahmed Ali, manager Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) football team Nawab Karimuddin, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) coach Shamim Khan, Osama Sports chief Haji Ilyas, President District Football Association (DFA) South Fateh Mohammad Baloch, its secretary Murad Bakhsh, DFA East secretary Obaidullah, DFA East senior vice president Ajmal Khattak, National Bank football coach Nasir Ismail, National Bank goalkeeper coach Zahid Taj, Karachi Youth coach Mohammad Javed, trainers Mohammad Bakhsh and Mehboob, and football organiser Riaz Ahmed.
All the players and officials of the victorious team were given away cash prizes. Mohammad Junaid, the captain, was also handed over a glittering trophy in order to encourage the young player who was the only one in the squad with international experience.
Junaid was part of the Pakistan Under-14 team that toured Japan last year. “Initially we looked a bit uneasy but due to solid planning from our coaches we recovered and in the end won the tournament,” Juanid told ‘The News’ during the reception.
Junaid is being inducted by SSGC in their junior lot. Speaking on the occasion Tariq Lutfi, also KRL head coach, advised the players to work hard and improve their skills. “I would like to advise you to keep yourself away from non-qualified coaches. You need to be guided at this stage by skilled brains,” Lutfi said.
He said beating teams like Sindh, who had nine players of international experience, and hosts Abbottabad was a big achievement. He said the city was full of football talent and it was the responsibility of the coaches here to polish it.
He advised departments to induct Karachi Youth boys in their junior teams. PIA coach Shamim Khan urged the colts to work hard, saying that one day most of them would be part of departments.
Haji Ilyas said that he would extend his best support to the youngsters at all levels. DFA South and East representatives also offered their full support to the AID 27 coaches during their trials and training camps. “We are here to serve football and our assistance will be unconditional,” they said.