26-Feb-2012
our correspondent
KARACHI: The First Geo Super Aman Cup Women Football Tournament kicked off here on Saturday at the KMC Stadium with a colourful ceremony.
As many as ten teams are featuring in the tournament which will be conducted under the round robin system.
Former international footballer Azeem Khan was the chief guest on the occasion. Also present were former football greats Yousuf Senior, Abdullah Hero, Yousuf Senior, Ali Nawaz Baloch and Sindh Football Association (SFA) President Khadim Ali Shah.
The guests of honour were garlanded on their arrival at the venue which had been superbly prepared for the competition.
The tournament was inaugurated with the recitation of the Holy Quran. It was followed by march-past from the participating teams and the national anthem.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Shujaat Ali, who is sponsoring the tournament, said a jury would be formed to pick 50 players from the participating teams. Their camp would be held through the funds provided by the British High Commission. Then a final team would be formed to represent the British High Commission in different football events, he said.
Azeem Khan said if the young girls worked hard, with patience and determination, they could go a long way in achieving their objectives.
AJ Women FC defeated Laurentian FC 2-0 in an exhibition match which also marked the opening of the event. Real competition will start on Sunday (today) with the match between Aga Khan Club and Marta Women FC at 4:30 pm.
The teams have been placed in two groups. Group A carries Aga Khan Women FC, Marta Women FC, Karachi United Football Club, Karachi Women FC, and Rubaisha Women FC. Group B has Star Women FC, St Laurentian FC, SMB Fatima Jinnah Women FC, AJ Women FC and Asif Women FC.
Chief organiser Ahmad Jan said that it is an eight-a-side competition and each match would be of 40 minutes duration with each half of 20 minutes. “There will be running changes during the show,” he said.
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