Luís Boa Morte was announced as the latest player to join the international team coming to Leisure Leagues Pakistan in July. He will be joining a list of international players signed by the Leisure Leagues to come and play with the youth of Pakistan.
UK’s largest amateur football league, Leisure Leagues, a company of World Group Trunkwala family, has announced on Saturday to open up their door for the football enthusiasts of Baluchistan to be part of their 5, 6 and 7-a-side football in Pakistan. Leisure Leagues Pakistan is a nationwide initiative to bring football to Pakistan.
“We want to revive sports activities in Pakistan and Baluchistan specifically has immense talent but lack a platform. We want the youth of Baluchistan to come up and register with the LLP, a name which will guarantee them to play football without any hardship,” Mehmood Trunkwala chairman World Group said in his message.
The Chief Guest at the ceremony held at Serena Hotel Quetta for launch of LL in Baluchistan was Mir Mujeeb Muhammad Hasni, Senior Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs, Culture, Tourism, Population Welfare, Human Rights, Minorities Affairs & Archives.
He said,”I congratulate Mr. Mehmood Trunkwala and whole of Leisure Leagues and World Group team for the great patriotic initiative. It brings me immense pleasure to see such initiatives touching base in Baluchistan. The youth of Baluchistan is talented and passionate about Football. With the League here in this province, we will be able to globally soften the image of Pakistan and create ample opportunities within the province for its youth to come out and shine”.
Mr Anas Trunkwala, Director World Group, stated that the leagues would help players in Pakistan become international players, get scholarships in foreign varsities and employment abroad.
“Players will also get a chance to be trained by international coaches and play on thousands of football pitches in Pakistan,” he added. He said, “Football is a tremendously popular sport in Pakistan and with the move it would help in developing at grassroots level. This league will provide a much-needed platform for young talent in Pakistan to come forward and acquire the skills necessary to play football at an international level”.
COO Ishaq Shah said that Leisure Leagues would provide a platform to all talented football players of the country.
“Our aim is to ensure a nationwide platform for football players in Pakistan. We will provide the complete infrastructure to sustain football as a sport in Pakistan. The players could register themselves in the league through the website. Initially we will be utilizing already available venues in Pakistan but a plan has been put in place to give new pitches to the country”.
The event was attended by Chief of Staff Southern Command General Muhammad Kaleem Asif, Interior Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Abdul Razzaque Cheema DIG Balochistan, Ahsan Mahboob IG Balochistan along with several prominent Army Generals. They all appreciated the commencement of such initiatives in Baluchistan.
At this ceremony the World Group & Leisure Leagues also gave appreciation cash awards of Rs.50,000 each to 6 deserving sports players. The awards were given to Master Siddique , Muhammad Nabi Jin, Muhammad Arif, Akhtar Muhayudin, Aurangzaib (All have been involved with the Pakistan Football in various capacities), along with, Muhammed Waseem who is currently the WBC Silver Flyweight Champion Boxer.
