Sport Pakistan Project #32695

Sponsor a Star - Develop Footballers In Pakistan

by Karachi United Football Foundation (Trust)

Sponsor a Star - Develop Footballers In Pakistan

Project Report | Jul 17, 2025
Quarterly Progress Report - Sponsor A Star

By Misbah Rasheed | Asst. Program Manager

Sponsor A Star players

Karachi United’s Sponsor a Star Program: Nurturing Future Champions

Over the past quarter, Karachi United’s Sponsor a Star program has continued to make significant strides in transforming the lives of talented young footballers from underserved communities in Karachi. Currently, fourteen young athletes remain fully enrolled in the program, each receiving holistic support that covers advanced football coaching, formal education, and structured nutrition plans. These children, many of whom come from families earning as little as $40 to $100 a month, are showing remarkable resilience, growth, and determination, proving that with the right support, they can thrive on and off the pitch.

14 young players remain fully enrolled and supported — with new recruitment underway to expand this number.
Each child receives professional coaching, school support, and balanced meals.
Success story: This quarter, Husnain, a 12-year-old midfielder from Malir, improved his weight by 6 kg, grew 3.4 cm taller, and maintained an 85%+ academic average with 90%+ attendance a testament to the program’s impact.

Football Development Highlights

216 individual football training hours delivered per child.
Weekly periodized sessions included:

Ball mastery, finishing school, tactical drills, and video analysis.
Strength, endurance, acceleration, and agility training.

KU players improved average acceleration by 5% and endurance by 8% across the cohort.
KU’s commitment to global exposure continued. Karachi United initiated new linkages for future competitive matches abroad, building on last quarter’s Aspire Academy experience.

Academic Progress

Children followed a tailored accelerated syllabus, helping bridge varied grade levels.
Monthly assessments and learning disability screenings ensured no child is left behind.
85%+ average grades maintained across the group.
Ongoing mentoring and after-school support helped athletes balance books and boots.

Health & Nutrition

Each athlete received 318 meals, customized and calorie-tracked to support growth.
Weekly menus ensured high-protein, balanced diets.
Average gains: 3.2 kg weight increase and 2.7 cm height increase per child in the last six months.
Daily meal monitoring by our strength & conditioning coach helps optimize performance and recovery.

What’s Next
In the coming months, Sponsor a Star will focus on recruiting 10 new young athletes (born between 2015 and 2017) through a new beta model, where 20 shortlisted players will join a 30-day trial before final selection. We also plan to strengthen our nutrition and health support with regular medical check-ups.

Sponsor A Star football coaching program

Sponsor A Star

Links:

Attachments:

Quarterly Progress Report (DOCX)

4 Attachments

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Mar 24, 2025
Quarterly Progress Report

By Misbah Rasheed | Asst. Program Manager

Sponsor A Star atheletes

Karachi United’s Sponsor a Star Program: Nurturing Future Champions

Karachi United (KU) remains dedicated to empowering young athletes through its Sponsor a Star program, a transformative initiative launched in September 2024. Karachi United offers its most talented players, who are handpicked from the various Community Centres & the Youth Program Centres into the Academy. This is a specialized program designed to nurture world-class talent focusing on players’ mental, physical & emotional development, led by Coach Imran Ali, UEFA “A” License

The focus of development is:

Football:

Includes training facility, coaching, kits, transportation and exposure trips

Education:

Includes uniforms, school fees, course books, transportation, and extra circular costs.

Health and Nutrition

Includes monthly grocery provision, health and first aid education, and insurance coverage.

Since its inception, Sponsor a Star has enrolled 14 emerging athletes under the age of 12, all selected on merit for their exceptional potential. These children hail from communities where families earn an average of $40 to $100 per month, often struggling to meet basic necessities like food, education, and healthcare. Despite these challenges, these children have shown remarkable talent and resilience, earning their place in KU’s Academy.

Over the past quarter, Karachi United’s Sponsor a Star Program has made significant strides in nurturing young footballers from underserved communities, ensuring their development across football training, education, and nutrition. Intensive training sessions, led by Coach Imran Ali (UEFA “A” License), focused on skill enhancement, tactical awareness, and fitness, with players engaging in video analysis, stretching exercises, and strength conditioning. The KU Academy team also gained international exposure by playing against Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar. In line with its commitment to talent development, KU has been scouting 2,400 young players, shortlisting 400, and final selection trials to be conducted for 40 promising footballers based on their skills, attitude, and commitment by May 2024.

Academic growth remained a priority, with all 14 Sponsor a Star players continuing their formal education at Al-Furqan Welfare Organization’s schools, where they received full scholarships, specialized tutoring, and mentorship to balance studies and sports. A structured daily schedule ensured players effectively managed both their academic and athletic commitments.

Moving into the next quarter, the program aims to identify and recruit new talent, expand its nutrition and academic support programs, and offer increased competitive exposure, ensuring these young athletes continue to develop into well-rounded footballers and future leaders. Through these sustained efforts, Karachi United remains committed to breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and shaping the future of football in Pakistan.

Sponsor A Star Atheletes

Links:

Attachments:

Quarterly Progress Report (DOCX)

3 Attachments

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Nov 22, 2024
Quarterly Progress Report Nov 2024

By Misbah Rasheed | Asst. Program Manager

Open Youth Tournament 2024

Karachi United continues to pioneer impactful programs that use football as a powerful tool for community development, youth engagement, and social change. Through initiatives like the Sponsor a Star Program, the Standard Chartered Karachi United Youth League, and the Open Youth Tournament, Karachi United has created opportunities for thousands of children and young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds to thrive. These events promote athletic excellence and foster inclusivity, teamwork, and personal growth, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and communities across Karachi.

Sponsor A Star Program

Launched in September 2024, Karachi United’s Sponsor A Star program supports the holistic development of talented young athletes from underserved communities. Fourteen players under the age of 12 were selected for this long-term initiative based on merit. The program provides international-standard football training alongside nutritional and educational support. These athletes, enrolled at Al-Furqan School, benefit from quality education and comprehensive development opportunities, breaking barriers of poverty and unlocking their potential as future leaders.

2. Standard Chartered Karachi United Youth League 2023

The 7th edition of the Standard Chartered Karachi United Youth League kicked off in September 2023, engaging 1,360 players, including 180 girls, in over 200 matches held across six key locations in Karachi. Since its inception in 2017, the league has involved more than 6,000 youth from marginalized communities, fostering teamwork, inclusivity, and a culture of healthy competition. Beyond football, the league has positively impacted over 3,000 indirect beneficiaries, creating opportunities for personal and community development.

Karachi United Open Youth Tournament 2024

On October 13th, 2024, Karachi United hosted the 27th edition of its Open Youth Tournament, a dynamic platform for players aged 8 to 20 to compete in friendly matches across age-specific categories (U11, U14, U17, and U20). Over the years, this tournament has become a hub for youth from schools, football clubs, and communities to hone their skills and embrace sportsmanship. The latest event witnessed vibrant participation, promoting a thriving football culture while strengthening community ties through the shared love for the sport.

Open Youth Tournament 2024

Sponsor A Star

Standard Chartered Karachi United Youth League

Links:

Attachments:

Quarterly Progress Report (DOCX)

7 Attachments

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