The DFA Karachi West held an emergency meeting presided over by former Pakistan captain and DFA West president Zafar Iqbal at Football House in Old Golimar, Karachi yesterday 26 Sept 2011. The control of Meher Sports FC Ground in Manghopir by local land mafia was on the agenda as the meeting unanimously condemned these acts by sinister elements.
The meeting appealed to Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Provincial Minister Nadeem Bhutto, the administrator of Gadap Town etc to take strong action against the land mafia and evict them from the historic Meher Sports football ground in Manghopir. A copy of the condemnation declaration by DFA West has since been forwarded to all Karachi DFAs as well as city administration offices to ensure proper action is taken by the authorities.
DFA West secretary Rahim Bakhsh Baloch stated the land mafia’s takeover of the ground has put all football activties in Manghopir area to an abrupt halt. He stated that these developments have enraged the local residents as well as footballers of the area, and such tensions can lead to a law and order emergency in the area. Rahim Bakhsh noted that the lack of interest shown by the Gadap Town administration towards the Meher Sports football ground has already put the venue at an appalling state where football events cannot be properly organised for some time. Instead the ground is now being used just for practice by local teams.
Because of these conditions, the land mafia struck and took the ground under its hold by force. But Rahim Bakhsh stated that the united efforts of the Karachi football officials and city administration will ensure the land mafia is evicted from the Meher Sports ground and football can be played there once more.
The All-Karachi Founders of Baloch Mujahid Football Cup returned after a temporary break because of Ramazan-Eid as well as Karachi’s tense security situation.
Baloch Mohammedan (Malir) and Hunter Sports (Malir) went through to next round after beating Malik Star (DFA West) and Irfan Memorial (Landhi) respectively at Baloch Mujahid Stadium in Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi.
Hunter Sports, winners of the 2011 Karachi Engro Vopak Cup, eased past Malik Star 3-1. M Akbar and M Saleem gave Hunter Sports a 2-0 lead by half time, before M Imran made it 3-0 in 2nd half. Malik Star could only respond with Afsar Jan’s goal as Hunter Sports won 3-1 in the end. Baloch Mohammaden beat Irfan Memorial 3-0 thanks to 2nd half goals from Majid Ali, Wasim Akhtar, and Imran Hussain.
Referees were Iqrar Hussain, Ijaz Hussain, Saleem Raja, Chaudhary Sarfaraz, and M Ilyas, while match commissioner was Master Ghulam Rasool.
On Wednesday 28 Sept 2011, Al-Shabaz (Korangi) face Muhammadi Sports (Memom Goth).