The All Khyber Agency Jashn-e-Azadi Football Cup, organised by Khyber Sports Club at Government High School Ground in Landi Kotal (Khyber Agency, FATA), concluded with a thrilling final to crown Aman FC as champions in front of nearly 15,000 spectators. Aman beat Afghan FC (Khyber) on penalties after the game ended in a draw.
A total of 42 teams from Khyber Agency, including a visiting club side from Afghanistan, took part in this annual event that is organised each year around 14 August – the Independence Day of Pakistan. However in the final, the organisers were left disappointed when the FATA Director of Sports declined to attend despite repeated invitations. However, FATA Senator Alhaj Taj Muhammad Afridi graced the occasion as chief guest.
News reporter Rahat Shinwari adds that Khyber SC president Merajuddin Shinwari has been main organiser for this mega event and many other events in Khyber Agency for last 35 years to promote healthy activities and local talent to take sports as a way of life. His repeated demands for constructing a dedicated sports stadium in Khyber Agency for last many decades has been left unheeded by the FATA and Federal authorities. Merajuddin Shinwari also said that the people of Khyber Agency and all of FATA love sports – especially football – but their neglect is having a profound impact on social progress.
The large crowd highly appreciated the game played by both finalists as a testimony to their love of football and reiterated FATA’s desire for social progress and success with the rest of Pakistan.
all pics and news courtesy Mr Rahat Shinwari