Karachi, March 14, 2023 (PPI-OT): Standard Chartered Karachi United Youth Football League 2022-23 held its closing ceremony today, having sponsored over 1,200 footballers. Over the last five years, in partnership with Karachi United Foundation, this exemplary sporting initiative has engaged more than 5000 talented players and tens of community centres.
This year’s tournament began on 25 November 2022 and since then has seen more than 180 matches being played. Matches included different age categories such as:
47 matches amongst 20 teams in the Under-16 category
37 matches amongst 22 teams in the Under-14 category
37 matches amongst 12 teams in the Under-12 category
37 matches amongst 12 teams in the Under-10 category
23 matches amongst 10 teams comprising young girls
15 matches amongst 8 teams representing different schools
On the six-year partnership, Khadija Hashimi, Head, CABM, AME and Country Head, Pakistan, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan said, “Since inception, the SC KU Youth football league has gained real momentum and we are delighted to have touched the lives of over 5000 young people thus far.
Through this league we have been able to bring together children from across different communities and backgrounds onto one level playing field through friendly competition.
Beyond the fact that this improves the skills and game of the children, football stimulates positive mental health and cognitive development. We have also seen it contributing considerably to the promotion of tolerance, respect, perseverance, resilience and equity of the youth engaged.
We are extremely proud that at Standard Chartered we have been able to drive greater equality and inclusion of young people.”
Commenting on the league, Mr. Imran Ali, Director Youth and Community at Karachi United said: “This year, with the support from Standard Chartered Bank we have been able to cast a wider net, to increase participation in the league and make it more inclusive – this aligns very well with the Bank’s mandate on community impact. We also have seen an increase in the number of female participation along with new teams from across Karachi.
The salient feature of our partnership this year was the opportunity to develop our coaches at the Liverpool Football Club. We are truly grateful to Standard Chartered for enabling this and are confident that the performance of our teams will be greatly enhanced as an outcome.”
Standard Chartered has been sponsoring this league since 2017, when 600 children, mostly from underserved communities participated in the tournament. Today, it attracts thousands of youngsters, who aspire to excel and achieve nationwide recognition as football players and lead a progressive life. This tournament helps the youth in breaking barriers across classes, genders, and abilities, through sports, as they bring a positive change in their deprived communities.
For more information, contact:
Head of Corporate Communications,
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
1st Floor, New Jubilee Insurance Building,
I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32450239
Cell: +92-334-3239399
Email: Farhan.ahmed@sc.com
Website: www.sc.com