Karachi is set to receive Pakistan’s first “soccer city stadium” through a deal that has been signed in association with the planned formation of a new football league in the country.
Global Soccer Ventures (GSV), which is behind the new league, has entered into a 10-year deal with the Karachi-based NED University of Engineering & Technology (NED) for the stadium project.
GSV said the “state-of-the-art” stadium has been influenced and designed by German engineering as part of a series of football infrastructure projects in Pakistan. GSV added that the $12m (£8.87m/€10.61m) deal with NED will provide a venue with “FIFA international playing conditions”, as well as an “enduring football experience” for fans and players with a raft of marketing and technology opportunities for brands never offered before in Pakistan sports.
The soccer city venture has been modelled on the US college soccer development system. GSV said its philosophy is to identify and develop players at the right age, whilst continuing their education.
Former England international Michael Owen is involved in the project as a brand ambassador of GSV, which is planning an official launch of the venture by the end of the month. However, Pakistani newspaper Dawn said the project will likely see the redevelopment of NED’s football ground into a stadium which will host the matches of the Pakistan Football League, the six-team franchise league announced by GSV last year.
Chairman of GSV, Yasir Mahmood, said in a statement: “It is time Pakistan rediscovers itself in football infrastructure offering the much needed professional and world class facilities. This flagship soccer city at NED will entice other cities or institutes to come forward and become part of GSV’s football legacy offering the best in technology, science and football training all under one roof.”
Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, vice-chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, added: “NED is world renowned for being at the cutting edge of technology and science in its educational curriculum, so why not football. It is a vision that only GSV can bring to life. I have seen the science and evolution of football on offer and it will be a major transformation for football in Pakistan.”
Image: Global Soccer Ventures
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