The 2011 District Malir Football Championship in Karachi began yesterday 7 Oct 2011 at Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi Goth, Karachi. A colourful presentation ceremony was held by the District Malir organisers to inaugurate the championship.
The chief guest was Salman Abdullah Murad (Adviser to the Chief Minister of Sindh) and he praised the DFA Malir administration for their promotion of football in the district by holding such an important championship. Salman Abdullah Murad also promised a donation of Rs 1.5 lakh (150,000) in support of the championship and administration. DFA Malir president Fateh Muhammad Baloch, secretary Shahid Taj, and other officials were present at the occasion.
The opening fixture saw Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from the Pakistan Premier League beat a DFA Malir team 3-0. The 9 time national champions PIA were held scoreless at half time, but in 2nd half completely overwhelmed DFA Malir with goals from Zeeshan Asif, Ishtiaq Ahmed, and Ali Adeem Shahzad. Referee was Abdul Latif.
According to tournament’s media coordinator Khalid Majeed, 84 teams from District Malir will take part in the championship and will be divided into 12 groups of 7 teams each. The top 3 teams from each group then qualify for next round. Last year’s finalists in
winners All Brothers and runners-up Korangi Baloch, as well as the best team from 1st round, have been given a bye to next round. The first round will be a knock-out format, and second round will be league-based.
The formal commencement of the championship begins on 10 October with matches being held at 4 PM kick off simultaneously at four venues: Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi, Al-Shazad Ground Malir, Gul Baloch Ground Malir, and Shafi XI Ground Quaidabad.
