Quetta hosts 81 teams at football gold cup

The sixth All-Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Football Gold Cup has opened at Ayub Sports Complex in Quetta, with 81 teams from across Pakistan taking part. UrduPoint and Express News both reported the opening, describing the event as a sign that sports grounds in Balochistan are returning to regular use.

In the first match of the tournament, Baloch Club Nushki beat Afghan Club Chaman by one goal to nil, Express News reported. The outlet gave no further details of the match. The provincial parliamentary secretary for fisheries, Haji Barkat Rind, was the chief guest at the opening ceremony. Secretary Sports Dura Baloch, Director General Sports Yasir Bazai and other officials connected with sports were also present.

According to Express News, the competition offers cash prizes: Rs3 million for the winning team, Rs1.5 million for the runners-up and Rs500,000 for the team finishing third. That makes a total of Rs5 million in announced prize money for the top three positions. The report did not say when the remaining fixtures will be played, how the 81 teams are divided into groups, or when the final is scheduled.

The sixth edition of the Chief Minister Balochistan Football Gold Cup is being held at Ayub Sports Complex in the provincial capital. Apart from Baloch Club Nushki and Afghan Club Chaman, the reports did not name the other participating clubs, although they said teams from all over the country have entered the tournament.

Both UrduPoint and Express News described the tournament as part of a revival of sports fields in Balochistan. The opening ceremony drew provincial sports administrators, and the title of the competition links it to the Chief Minister of Balochistan.

No further information about the tournament schedule, the total number of venues, or security arrangements was immediately available from either outlet at the time of filing.