Uplift A Community Through Football

We've had a busy few months! Our project has not only continued to engage 1000 children in football, but we've had some interesting new developments as well. These include:

Football Development: Establishment of the KU Academy (as a result of talent scouting) & an invitation to participate in the Aspire Tri-Series Tournament in Qatar

Capacity Building: 10 girls from both Lyari and Orangi Town inducted into the KU Women’s Team, and boys from the centers were scouted to tour Qatar

Exposure: The Youth League provides a platform for children across various areas of Karachi to interact with each other through football. We've seen the positive effects of this kind of interface such as building tolerance and bridging gaps between communities.

Success Stories:

Sheraz: Shiraz lives in Lyari and is a registered participant of our Lyari General Center. He began in July 2017, at the age of 11. At the time, he was not enrolled in school due to the financial constraints his family was in. His father drives a donkey cart for a living and is not able to contribute to Shiraz’s education. Shiraz, however, is an exceptionally talented player; he was chosen to represent his center in the Youth League and was immediately spotted by our Academy coaches. His attitude and discipline were so commendable that he was further inducted into the U12 squad that was chosen to represent Karachi United in the Aspire Tri-Series Tournament hosted in Qatar.  While Shiraz is excited and overjoyed, his family is grateful for the opportunity for him to see the world outside Pakistan. Upon his return, Shiraz will seek admission into a school in his neighborhood, and continue on in the Karachi United Academy.

Bilal: Muhammad is 13 years old and from Old Golimar. He represented his center in the Youth League. 
“I started playing football in 2009 and joined Karachi United in 2017. I am studying in class VII and also going to Maddrasa to learn Islamic studies. My favorite club is Barcelona and I like Messi. Unfortunately, I have not been able to score a goal in this league yet but I hope to change that soon. The experience of this league has been wonderful as we travel as a team to new locations and discover new areas of Karachi. The host teams are very welcoming and after our matches, we share stories about our areas with the other team players. The games have given us new motivation to train more and work harder and I believe this is positive for all my team mates. Given the popularity of this league, we have seen more children wanting to come and play football, which is great to see in my area.”

Shifa: Shifa is 14 years old and is from Lyari. She was always a model student, and has channeled her discipline into football recently. Her work ethic, talent, and her drive earned her a place on the Karachi United Women’s Team and she now trains regularly with them. Shifa has two elder sisters who constantly question her choices to pursue football. They ask her what she hopes to achieve, even if she manages to play a higher level. Her mother, though very supportive of daughter’s choices, also faces the same question. Shifa answers confidently for the both of them, “I want to make this a career. On the pitch, or off the pitch, like my coaches. I want football in my future. It’s up to me to make that happen.”

We are so thrilled to have had your support these past few months. Your help has enabled us to deliver on our mission and our project. Thank you! 

Links:

• Karachi United lads in Qatar!