Still kicking around: Swat hosts provincial football tournament after two decades

Football team from Karachi beats host, says environment is conducive to the game.

MINGORA:

After almost two decades, Swat finally opened its doors to a provincial football tournament with a match between Swat Eleven and Karachi’s Korangi Baloch Football Club.

In the friendly match played to renew sports activities, Karachi’s team beat Swat Eleven 5-2 at Grassy Ground, Mingora on Saturday.

“We have come here three times before; first in 1974, then in 1984 and 1994 and now after a long gap because of security problems. The climate in the valley is perfect for sports and if some effort is made ,Swat can be the best national team,” said Haider Baloch, one of the managers with the Karachi team.

The players from Karachi said Swat felt like paradise. “The valley is not only scenic but the environment is very friendly for sports activities as well. There is double excitement here, for sightseeing and playing football,” Abdul Jabbar, the captain of the guest team, told The Express Tribune.

The players from Karachi also appreciated the safe and peaceful environment of Swat. “The best thing about the valley is the sense of safety we feel here because we do not feel secure in Karachi these days,” Jabbar added. The guests also praised the hospitality of the people of Swat.

Haq Nawaz, an international football coach from Swat, is among the people striving to revive football in the valley and bring it to its previous standard.

“The historic Grassy Ground had been neglected for a long time and was in terrible condition. I began my work with fixing the ground so football can be played here on a national level,” he said. “I have been successful in that due to a great extent.”

The Grassy Ground was home to many special football events before partition.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2013.