Balochistan Cup: Group stages come to an end

Tournament’s quarter-finals to be played from next week

KARACHI: Chaman, Kharan, Turbat and Harnai ended up as the top teams in their respective pools in the groups stages of the inaugural 2016 Balochistan Cup, where groups were divided according to the six divisions of the province.

Chaman defeated Quetta 1-0 at the Noushki Football Ground and both teams qualified for the quarter-finals, whereas Kharan thrashed Khuzdar 3-0 at the Ghous Bux Bizenjo Football Ground in Kalat Division.

According to District Football Association Noushki official and Baloch Club secretary Abid Hussain, the ongoing tournament is a success in terms of getting sponsors like Pakistan Petroleum Limited interested in Balochistan’s football culture, with more than 20,000 people came to watch the final group match in Noushki.



He added that the teams were formed after players competed in trials for a place in the divisional side.

Hussain lamented that his own club did not compete in the tournament as the sponsors had earlier said that club players cannot compete in the event, but then invited them to play two days before the tournament, which was not feasible.

“It is a good effort, but a lot more needs to be done in Balochistan,” Hussain told The Express Tribune.



Meanwhile, Loralai beat Sherani 2-0 in Zhob Division, Turbat defeated Panjgoor 1-0 in the Makran Division and Harnai outplayed Sibi District 1-0 in Sibi Division to move into the quarter-finals.

All officials from the six divisions of Balochistan claimed that the crowds were among thousands at each of the centres during the group stages of the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2016.

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