Shahrukh Sohail, Chief Editor, Peshawar
The FATA International Peace Cup will be kicking-off from tomorrow at 4:30 PM here in Peshawar’s Qayyum Stadium.
Organized by the FATA Olympic Association, the International tournament aims to pit quality teams from the country against each other and send a clear signal to the world that the regions of KPK and FATA are eager to witness peace.
Spearheaded by the enigmatic Shahid Khan Shinwari, the FATA Olympic Association, has taken a number of steps to boost sports in the area and is very eager to welcome back International Football back to Peshawar.
The tournament boasts a number of quality players with top sides such as National Challenge Cup winners PAF, KPK, FATA, Afghan Chaman, Police and a team from Afghanistan taking part.
AFC Chaman come into the tournament boasting skipper Jadeed Khan Pathan in their midst, who has captained the Pakistan U-23 side in the past. Seasoned veteran Mahmood Khan is also part of the squad, while other Internationals such as Manzoor Ahmed, Muhammad Asif and Umair have been roped in.
Other sides aren’t to be taken lightly either, with FATA pinning their hopes on KRL quartet Yasir Afridi, Saqib Hanif, Zia-us-Salam and Murtaza Hussain. Also making their appearance will be Safi-Ullah, who scored four goals for Pakistan against Brunei in 2009 and is part of the KPK team.
FATA Olympic Secretary Shahid Shinwari added that the quality of these players was unmatched and they will definitely light up the tournament with their skills. He also revealed that a colorful opening has been planned with pigeons and balloons inscribed with messages of Peace set to be unveiled.
He also thanked Director Development (Sports) Arshad Hussain for providing various facilities for the FATA International Peace Cup and hoped that the tournament will send out a positive message of peace from the KPK and FATA regions.
Group Stages:
| Pool ‘A’ | Pool ‘B’ |
| Afghanistan | Afghan Chaman |
| P.A.F | KPK |
| FATA | Police |
Fixtures:
12/5/2014 – PAF vs FATA @ 4:30 PM
13/5/2014 – Afghan Chaman vs. KPK @ 4:30 PM
14/5/2014 – PAF vs. Afghanistan @ 3:00 PM
14/5/2014 – KPK vs. Police @ 4:45 PM
15/5/2014 – FATA vs. Afghanistan @ 3:00 PM
15/5/2014 – Police vs. Afghan Chaman @ 4:45 PM
16/5/2014 – Winner Pool “B” vs. Runner Pool “A” @ 4:30 PM
17/5/2014 – Winner Pool “A” vs. Runner Pool “B” @ 4:30 PM
18/5/2014 – Final