Lyari team overpowered DHA team by 2-1 score in a festival football match organized by Leisure Leagues and Oxfam with an aim to alleviate impacts of inequality here at Sarbazi Ground in Lyari. CEFA team represented Lyari, a humble neighbourhood, while FC Karachi represented DHA, a posh area of Karachi in the festival match organized with an aim to erode inequality between persons belonging to different income groups through the game of football.
"Football can be an important tool to alleviate inequality and highlight the menace of poverty. To put theory into practice, Leisure Leagues collaborated with Oxfam to organize the festival match, which brought together players from diverse economic background to reduce differences and subsequently promoting equality," said Mehmood Trunkwala, Chairman World Group, who owns Leisure Leagues.
Leisure Leagues has already expanded to forty cities of the country and still counting. Players belonging to every income group have been participating in the Leisure Leagues events.
Mehmood Trunkwala added that Leisure Leagues along with its sponsors has been endeavouring to promote the game of football and meanwhile reduce friction between different income groups of the country and the match between Lyari and DHA is its proof.
The match showcased the prevailing class difference and rising inequality crises in Pakistan. Team sports are extremely beneficial for young children and friendship built amongst a team of football players is unlike any other sport due to the high volume of players. With dozens of players working toward one common goal, which is to win, the bond many kids develop is priceless. This camaraderie is a lifelong benefit for children, as they will appreciate the importance of inclusion, diversity and developing close relationships with others.
Oxfam Pakistan's Director Programmes, Adeel Qaiser welcomed the participants and said that football is truly a team sport. Everyone is counted on to play their individual role as part of a synchronized team.
"Oxfam supported Leisure Leagues to organize this match to promote equality and a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. We must ensure more gender and economic equality in public services, education and fair wages as a way out of the inequality crisis we are witnessing. We should all work together to build a brighter future for everyone - not just a privileged few," he added.
Ishaq Shah, Chief Operating Officer of Leisure Leagues, echoed Adeel's views and said, "Sport, football in particular, has become one of the most powerful tools to incite passion, bring people together, and communicate important messages about the development agenda on a massive scale. Aligning ourselves with a global institution like Oxfam seemed only natural, particularly since we both work at grassroots level."
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