Trials kick off to select street child football team ahead of Norway Cup

MUZAFFARABAD: As Norway Cup — the largest international football tournament for players between 10 and 19 years old – draws closer, the process to pick the best street talent from Pakistan has kicked off on Monday.  

Muslim Hands, a charity organization based in Islamabad, began the trials from Muzaffarabad to select a 16-player squad of Pakistan street child football team.

In the first phase, trials will be conducted in different areas of Azad Kashmir, including Rawalakot, Bagh, Bhimber and Kotli.

In the second phase, camps will be set up across three different cities in Punjab which include Bhera, Wazirabad and Lahore.

Meanwhile, players from Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta will get their turn in the third phase.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan’s street football team will participate in the Norway Cup, scheduled from July 29 to August 5 in Oslo.

Last year, Pakistan finished second in the Street Child World Cup in Doha, Qatar after impressive performances.

They remained unbeaten throughout the tournament but lost the final against Egypt on penalties (4-3).

Pakistan’s forward Tufail Shinwari, who scored 13 goals, was adjudged the best player of the tournament. The 16-year-old hit back-to-back hat-tricks against Bosnia and Qatar before his side entered the knock-out stage.

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