WHEN WILL WE START TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL?

While Pakistan continues to obsess over cricket, something truly remarkable has been unfolding quietly in Quetta: The 5th All Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Gold Cup Football Tournament 2025. Over 50 teams from across the country, Swat, Karachi, Quetta, and beyond competed over 15 days, bringing together passionate players, roaring crowds, and serious talent. And yet, barely a whisper from mainstream media.

The semi-finals took place yesterday, and two deserving teams have made it to the final stage, SPARTAX FC Swat and Ismail Memorial Karachi. The final match is scheduled for Friday at 6:30 pm at Ayub Stadium, with the Chief Minister of Balochistan as the chief guest. But the question remains: who’s going to be watching?

Let’s be honest, had this been a cricket tournament, there would’ve been hashtags, studio analysis, pressers, and non-stop headlines. But because it's football, even a national-level tournament with over 50 teams and government support flies under the radar.

What’s even more impressive is that the organizers ensured accommodation, food, transport, and facilities for all participating teams. Spectators turned up, local pages streamed it live, and the players gave it their all. But the silence from the rest of us? Deafening.

We keep asking where Pakistan’s next generation of athletes is. They’re right here in Quetta, Swat, Karachi, and every city that sent a team. But if we don't show up for them, how can we expect them to keep showing up for us?

It’s time to change the narrative. If we want to diversify our sports culture, football deserves our attention, not just during international matches, but on the grassroots and national tournament level too.

So here’s the question:

Will you be watching the final this Friday? Will you support these players, these cities, this sport? Or will it be just another match that never made it to the headlines?

Text: Sundus Unsar Raja