Karachi, 16 February 2024: Standard Chartered – Karachi United Football League concluded its sixth year in Karachi.
This league was launched in November 2023. Featuring 206 thrilling matches, among 74 teams, it comprised more than 1280 young male and female players, who showed great performances. Sponsorship of this tournament was a part of Standard Chartered Bank’s resourceful social development initiative to promote healthy sporting activities in the country.
The winning team in the girls’ competition was the Karachi United girls team, while the victorious squad in the under-14 boys’ competition was Karachi United Baldia Centre. Earlier, the under-10 team contest was won by Karachi United Mauripur Centre while the top team in the under-12 contest was Karachi United CEFA Centre Meanwhile, the crown in the school category championship headed to Dream of Youth. The tournament inspires enthusiastic participation by children hailing from different football clubs and academies in Karachi.
Standard Chartered has been sponsoring this league since 2017. Initiated with engaging 600 children from underserved communities, today the tournament has exceeded the headcount to over 6500 children, who have been supported through sports to become productive citizens.
Rehan Shaikh, CEO, of Standard Chartered Pakistan commenting on the sponsorship said, “We are very proud to be part of this wonderful initiative over the last 6 years and the impact it has created for thousands of children and their communities. The league continues to grow from strength to strength, bringing together children from across different communities and backgrounds through friendly and healthy competition. It continues to inculcate self-confidence, tolerance, respect and perseverance amongst children whilst breaking barriers across class, gender, and abilities. We are committed to driving greater equality and inclusion and will continue to support fantastic initiatives like SC KU League.”
Commenting on the league Mr. Imran Ali, Director Youth and Community, at Karachi United said: “This Youth league continues to impress us in its ability to engage new players and communities every year. The league is now clearly the biggest Youth competition in Pakistan with participation of over 1200+ players (including girls) with over an astounding 206 matches played over 4 months. Not only do we get excellent feedback from community stakeholders on how this is positively impacting their areas but we are also unearthing football talent. On the back of the success of this league, Karachi United is furthering our engagement within the communities through sports festivals and social action projects. This would not be possible without the support of our partners at Standard Chartered and for that, we are grateful for their continued support”.
