Karachi United Football Foundation (KUFF) is set to kick off the 2nd edition of the Karachi Youth league. The league consists of 10 teams out which 6 teams represent the KUFF Centers of Excellence from across Karachi (Korangi, Old Golimar, Lyari, Malir, North Nazimabad and Manghophir). The rest of the academies are Gulshan Soccer Academy, Baloch Mujahid Academy, Karachi City Football Academy, and Aga Khan Football Academy.
KUFF Youth league is an Under 14 league played on a single-league format. There will be a total of 45 matches over a 2 to 3 months period, after which the top 4 sides will qualify for semi-finals and finals of the tournament. The objective is to provide young players a platform to play competitive matches in a fair, safe and structured environment.
Speaking to the KUFF official Adeel Rizki says: “This is a great forum and serves as a motivational tool for these young players who are striving to become professional footballers. We need more competition such as this at the grassroots level in order to nurture the incredible talent Pakistan has”
The opening ceremony of the league is set for Saturday 26th November at the KUFF North Nazimabad center. Asif Saad, Chief Executive of Lotte PPTA, a KUFF partner, will inaugurate the league opening.
KUFF official Khowaja Obaid Ilyas said ‘we have expanded the league this year to include teams other than from our Centers of Excellence. We want to provide our youth with such opportunities and engage them in sports. We hope this event will continue to grow and become the primary Youth competition across Karachi and Pakistan’.
Karachi United Football Foundation aims to provide social uplift of youth and community development through football development, education and health awareness. It currently operates 6 Centers of Excellence across Karachi to benefit underprivileged youth and their families through its programs.