Football in Pakistan

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Football in Pakistan
Jinnah Sports Stadium track and field.jpg
Jinnah Sports Stadium
Country Pakistan
Governing body Pakistan Football Federation
National team(s) Men's national team
First played1950
National competitions
Club competitions

Football is among the most popular team sports in Pakistan, together with long time number one cricket and hockey. Pakistan's current top domestic football league is the Pakistan Premier League, formed with sixteen clubs to promote football in the country. The first national league began in 2003 and was immediately recognised by the AFC as the official national football league. Football in general is run by the Pakistan Football Federation. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

Origins

The origin of football in Pakistan can be traced back to mid-nineteenth century when the game was introduced during the British Raj. British evangelist Theodore Leighton Pennell played a crucial role introducing football to the North-West Frontier Province in the last decade of the nineteenth century. [5] One of the regional federations to organise football in what is now Pakistan Territory was the North-West India Football Association, in which clubs from the city of Lahore and the surrounding region were active. [6] Shining Club Kohat became the first outstation team to win the North-West India Football Championship 1937 in 1937 defeating Government College Lahore 1–0 in the finals. [6] In addition a club league was organised in Lahore, won in 1936/37 by Old Boys Club. [6]

Foundation of PFF

Football in Pakistan is as old as the country itself. [7] Shortly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was created, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah became its first Patron-in-Chief. PFF received recognition from FIFA in early 1948. [8] The annual National Championship was organized shortly after. In 1950, the national team gained their first international experience in Iran and Iraq. In 1954, the Pakistan National Team participated in the Asian Games at Manila and also toured the Far East. In 1958, Pakistan again took part in the Tokyo Asian Games. Pakistan also took part in the annual Asian Quadrangular Tournament. [8] However, the game could not develop as smoothly as it should have. [9] Pakistan's participation in international competitions has not been regular. The standard achieved in the early 1950s could not be maintained because of the lack of organization in the game.

League system

The Pakistan Premier League is the country's first tier professional football league. It operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Football Federation League.

The now defunct Geo Super Football League was held in 2007 and 2010.

Regional and city based leagues have also been held, such as Karachi Football League.

Cup competitions

Domestic cup competitions

International cup competitions

National teams

Academy

In January 2019, Atlético Madrid started Pakistan's first European football academy. [11] This pioneering initiative marked the first European football academy in the country, signifying a new era for football development. The academy, a collaboration between Atlético Madrid and Pakistani partners, aimed to not only enhance the technical skills of young footballers but also to contribute to the overall growth and professionalism of the sport in Pakistan. [12]

The academy brought a wealth of expertise from one of Europe's elite football clubs, providing Pakistani players with access to world-class coaching, training methodologies, and facilities. [13] This strategic partnership symbolised a bridge between European football standards and the enthusiasm for the game in Pakistan. [14] The presence of Atlético Madrid's academy in the country not only offered aspiring footballers unparalleled learning opportunities but also served as a catalyst for elevating the status of football in Pakistan on the international stage. [15]

Significance of Lyari in Football Development

Lyari, a neighbourhood in Karachi, holds an important place in Pakistan's football landscape due to its historical and cultural ties to the sport. Dating back several decades, Lyari has been a consistent source of football talent, contributing significantly to the national sports scene. [16] Football in Lyari is not just a pastime; it is an integral part woven in to the fabric of the community's cultural identity. [17]

One notable aspect is the nickname "Little Brazil" often associated with Lyari. [18] This moniker reflects the neighborhood's fervent passion for football, drawing parallels to the football-crazy culture of Brazil. The grassroots football culture in Lyari emphasises skill and community engagement, with local clubs and tournaments acting as catalysts for talent development. [19] The neighbourhood's narrow streets and makeshift grounds have been the breeding ground for numerous football enthusiasts who later went on to make a mark in the sport. The local murals celebrating football heroes underline the neighbourhood's commitment to the beautiful game. [18]

Lyari's football tournaments serve as important events for talent identification and community cohesion. [20] It reflects a community deeply connected to football, shaping aspirations and providing a platform for the development of local talent. The locality made news during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar for the community's love for Brazilian football and the locals gathering in front of large TV screens to watch the games together. [21]

Largest football stadiums by capacity in Pakistan

StadiumCapacityGame(s)CityProvinceHome team(s)
Jinnah Sports Stadium 48,000 [22] Football Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory Pakistan Television, Pakistan national football team
People's Football Stadium 40,000 [23] Football Karachi Sindh Habib Bank, K-Electric, Pakistan national football team

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan national football team</span> Mens association football team representing Pakistan

The Pakistan national football team represents Pakistan in men's international football in FIFA-authorized events and is controlled by the Pakistan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Pakistan. Pakistan became a member of FIFA in 1948 joining the Asian Football Confederation and its national team debuted in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punjab Stadium</span>

The Punjab Stadium is a football stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. It was nicknamed the "Ian Rush Stadium" after the Liverpool striker visited Pakistan to promote grassroots football in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Football Federation</span> Governing body of football in Pakistan

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is the national governing body of association football in Pakistan. It is a member of FIFA, the international governing body of football and affiliated to the Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation. The federation was founded in 1947, it also manages the futsal and beach soccer national teams.

Sport in Pakistan is a significant part of Pakistani culture. Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan. Football has also gained popularity in recent years, and is the second most popular sport in the country. Field hockey is the national sport, and was popular for several decades, with some of Pakistan's greatest sporting accomplishments having taken place in this sport, along with squash. Polo and traditional sports like kabaddi and other well-known games are also played.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Premier League</span> Pakistan football federation league

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Muhammad Essa Khan is a Pakistani football manager and former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is the current head coach of KRL FC in the Pakistan Premier League. Essa is one of the most well known faces in Pakistani football, due to his regular goal scoring at the international level.

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The Geo Super Football League or SFL was the first professional inter-city football league of Pakistan, with support of the Pakistan Football Federation. It was established in 2007 and telecasted live via GEO Super. The SFL ran separate to the Pakistan Premier League. The league did not continue because the organisers and sponsors reportedly did not want to work with the Pakistan Football Federation again.

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References

  1. ↑ Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan – Part I". www.dawn.com. Karachi, Pakistan: Dawn. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "Football Reclaims Lives of Pakistani Street Kids - India Real Time - WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "FIFA, AFC committed to promoting soccer in Pakistan: PFF president". Nation.com.pk. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan – Part II". www.dawn.com. Karachi, Pakistan: Dawn. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  5. ↑ Wasim, Umaid (18 December 2019). "A football tournament in KP offers hope for the future". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Pakistan - List of Champions Archived 12 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine . rsssf.com
  7. ↑ "Far Post: Sialkot, Pakistan - Where soccer gets made - Soccer - SI.com". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. 11 February 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Govt Sports Portal". Sports.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "A history of football in Pakistan – Part III". Dawn.com. 23 December 2010. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  10. ↑ Naveed, Malik Riaz Hai; Wahidi, Syed Akber Ali (14 February 2019). "Pakistan - List of Cup Winners". RSSSF . Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Atletico Madrid shoot for football future in cricket-mad Pakistan". Dawn. 20 January 2019. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  12. ↑ "Atletico Madrid's Pakistan academy: Spanish giants seek raw talent & viewing share". BBC. 27 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  13. ↑ Editorial Staff (12 October 2019). "Atlético de Madrid set to conduct its first talent hunt trails in Lahore [The Nation]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "How Atletico Madrid plan to tap into potential of Pakistani football". The Independent. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Aspiring footballers dare to dream at Atletico Madrid's Lahore academy". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  16. ↑ Hasan, Shazia (5 March 2023). "REVIVING FOOTBALL IN LYARI". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "In Pictures: Lyari trades guns for football". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  18. 1 2 "In Pakistan's 'Mini Brazil,' football fever runs late into the night during Ramadan". Arab News. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  19. ↑ Release, Press (16 October 2023). "Lyari kids impress at 'Inclusion in Football Tournament'". Brecorder. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  20. ↑ Adil, Hafsa. "From gang wars and drug lords to football fields". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  21. ↑ Jaffri, Syed Ahsan Ali (7 December 2022). "WATCH: Brazilian TV channel covers football craze in Lyari". ASports.tv. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  22. ↑ "MY LIPS SEALED: THE STORY OF JAWAID 'JIMMY' KHAN". inbedwithmaradona.com. May 2013. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  23. ↑ "City Landmarks – People's Stadium Lyari". The Karachi Walla. 8 December 2011. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
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