By Andrew Warshaw
August 9 – Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has called for an end to sports events being targeted for political ends following the deadly bomb blast at a local football match near Karachi that killed at least eight people, several of them children, and wounded more than 24.
Expressing deep anguish following the explosion at the four-a-side Ramadan tournament final, Shaikh Salman urged that sport instead be used as a tool to promote peace. ”It’s shameful to attack those who are enjoying a football game,” he said. “Football is popular around the world and it brings people together. Some of the innocent fans who lost their lives would have been budding footballers. Football has long given solace to people around the globe.”
Initial reports said 11 people had been killed but the has figure has since been revised though the exact number is still unconfirmed.
Residents of violence-wracked Karachi reacted with shock to the bombing, which was condemned by Pakistan’s president, major political parties as well as the Pakistani Football Federation (PFF). The AFC has already decided to allot the 2014 AFC Under-16 Championship qualifiers to Pakistan due to the rising popularity of the sport in the South Asian country in order to “give a further boost to the efforts carried out by the Pakistan Football Federation,” Shaikh Salman said. ”On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives in Karachi.”
The bomb, planted on a motorcycle and set off by remote control, was loaded with ball bearings to target fans leaving the stadium, as well as a minister of the Sindh government who was at the game giving out prizes for the winners.
The match was between Baba Ladla 99 and Baba Ladla 92, two teams named after a powerful gang leader. No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734830511labto1734830511ofdlr1734830511owedi1734830511sni@w1734830511ahsra1734830511w.wer1734830511dna1734830511
