Pak Special Olympics football team train in Karachi

Pakistan Special Olympic National Football Team

The Pakistan Special Olympics football will take part in the World Special Olympic Games football event to be hosted in Athens (Greece) from 24 June 2011 onwards. The 10 member Pakistan Special footballers began its preparations at KPT – Benazir Sports Complex on West Wharf Road in Kharadar, Karachi from 20 May till 10 June 2011 under the coaching of Karachi United’s Daniyal Alvi and National Bank’s Ahsan Raza.

The Pakistan national Special Olympics team will be allowed to have 7 handicapped players alongside 4 normal players in their starting line-up in a 40 minute match with 2 halves of 20 minutes each in the Special Olympics football tournament.

The Special Olympics side played a friendly with Karachi United U13 boys at KPT Stadium that was won by KUFC U13 4-2. KU U13 led 2-0 at half time thanks to goals from Noman and Jahanzeb. However, the Special Olympics side fought hard with two goals from Nazeer but further goals from Noman and Ali Raza ensured that Karachi United U13 won the practice game 4-2 in the end.

The match was attended by chief guest KPT Sports Manager, Eng. Shah Naeem Zafar, who met both teams at half time break. Also present were journalist Riaz Ahmed, Karachi United Football Foundation’s head coach Arshad Jamal, Farrukh Riaz and national referee Habib Ullah et al.

The chief guest applauded the Special Olympic footballers for their hard work and determination, and praised Daniyal Alvi and Ahsan Raza for ensuring these special players got the best guidance to play and enjoy football.