Draft:Karachi United School Championship
| Organising body | Karachi United |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Region | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Website | karachiunited |
 2024–25 Karachi United School Championship | |
The Karachi United School Championship (KUSC) is the highest level of school and college football in Karachi, Pakistan. As of 2024, there are 4 categories of the tournament namely, senior boys, senior girls, junior boys, and junior girls. This tournament features multiple school/colleges that participate in one of more categories to compete against each other.[1][2]
The competition begins with a round robin league phase to qualify for the knockout rounds. It is the most watched and prestigious school and college competition in Karachi, which is played by the top schools and colleges.
Introduced in 2005, it was a way to promote football for students in their O and A Levels. The competition took inspiration from the college football held in the United States and Canada.[2][3][4][5] The competition aims to find new talent for the Karachi United professional teams as well as raise the standard of football in the country.[6]
History
[edit]With the objective of providing a forum for students to play competitively in a safe and professional environment, Karachi United provided a platform for students to showcase their skills and talent in a bid nurture and harness football talent at the school/college level. It has since become the premier school/college competition with inter school and inter college rivalries developing over the years and bragging rights to fight for during the tournament.[2]
The inaugural KUSC was held in 2005 with the senior boys category being held. Over the years, the tournament has grown in number of teams and categories. To promote football among girls and the younger students, the introduction of the girls category, senior and junior, and the junior boys category were introduced. The 2014-15 season saw the introduction of the senior girls category whereas the junior boys category and the junior girls category was introduced in the 2018-19 season and in the 2023-24 season respectively.[2]
Karachi Grammar School is the most successful school, with a total of 11 titles, in the senior boys (6), senior girls (4), and junior girls (1) category. Foundation Public School is the most successful school in the junior boys (2) category.
| Category | Playing Format | Playing Pitch | Age Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Boys | 11v11 | Full Field | Under 19 |
| Senior Girls | 7v7 | Turf | Under 19 |
| Junior Boys | 7v7 | Turf | Under 14 |
| Junior Girls | 7v7 | Turf | Under 13 |
Categories
[edit]Senior Boys
[edit]| Organising body | Karachi United |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Region | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Number of teams |
|
| Current champions | Cedar College (3rd title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Karachi Grammar School (6 titles) |
| Website | karachiunited |
| 2024–25 Karachi United School Championship | |
| Season | Winners |
|---|---|
| Karachi United School Championship | |
| 2005 | Karachi Grammar School (1) |
| 2006–07 | Karachi Grammar School (2) |
| 2007–08 | Karachi Grammar School (3) |
| 2008–09 | Karachi Grammar School (4) |
| 2009–10 | The Lyceum School (1) |
| 2010–11 | Karachi Grammar School (5) |
| 2011–12 | Nixor College (1) |
| 2012–13 | The City School, PAF Chapter (1) |
| 2013–14 | Karachi Grammar School (6) |
| 2014–15 | Nixor College (2) |
| 2015–16 | The Lyceum School (2) |
| 2016–17 | Nixor College (3) |
| 2017–18 | Nixor College (4) |
| 2018–19 | Cedar College (Pakistan) (1) |
| 2019–20 | Nixor College (5) |
| 2020–21 | Alpha College (1) |
| 2021–22 | Cedar College (Pakistan) (2) |
| 2022–23 | Sceptre College (1) |
| 2023–24 | Cedar College (Pakistan), DHA (3) |
The senior boys category was launched in 2005 with the aim of promoting football at a higher level of competition and encouraging schools and colleges to invest in their football programs. By introducing this category, the initiative sought to provide a structured platform for older students to develop their football skills, engage in competitive matches, and foster a deeper passion for the sport. The introduction of the senior boys category also aimed to create more opportunities for young male athletes to showcase their talent, while simultaneously motivating educational institutions to enhance their football programs, infrastructure, and coaching support. This category played a pivotal role in raising the overall standard of football at the school and college levels, contributing to the long-term growth of the sport in the region.[2] It is the longest running category with the 2024-25 season becoming its 20th season.
Karachi Grammar School (KGS) were the successful team where they won 4 back-to-back championships, the only team to achieve this feat. Their dominance was broken by The Lyceum School when they defeated KGS in the final of the 2009-10 season. KGS then won their 5th title the following season against Southshore School.[7] Nixor College won their first title by defeating KGS in the final of the 2011-12 season. The City School PAF Chapter won the championship the next season before KGS captured their 6th title in the 2013-14 season.
Nixor College won 3 of the next 4 championships, with The Lyceum School winning their 2nd title in the 2015-16 season. Cedar College broke the dominance by Nixor College by winning their first title in the 2018-19 season before Nixor won their 5th title the following season.
Alpha College secured their first title in the 2020-21 season before Cedar College won their 2nd the 2021-22 season. Sceptre College won their first title the following season before Cedar College DHA won the title, their first and a third for Cedar College after the campuses started competing separately, against KGS who were in their first final in 10 years.
Performances
[edit] School/College
|
Title(s) | Seasons won |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi Grammar School | 6 | 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 |
| Nixor College | 5 | 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 |
| Cedar College (Pakistan)1 | 3 | 2019, 2022, 2024 |
| The Lyceum School | 2 | 2010, 2016 |
| The City School, PAF Chapter | 1 | 2013 |
| Alpha College | 1 | 2021 |
| Sceptre College | 1 | 2023 |
- 1 includes results representing as single and separate campuses, DHA and PECHS
Senior Girls
[edit]| Organising body | Karachi United |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Region | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Number of teams |
|
| Current champions | Karachi Grammar School (4th title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Karachi Grammar School (4 titles) |
| Website | karachiunited |
| 2024–25 Karachi United School Championship | |
| Season | Winners |
|---|---|
| Karachi United School Championship | |
| 2014–15 | TBC (1) |
| 2015–16 | Karachi Grammar School (1) |
| 2016–17 | Karachi Grammar School (2) |
| 2017–18 | SMB Fatima Jinnah (1) |
| 2018–19 | Aga Khan, Kharadar (1) |
| 2019–20 | Aga Khan, Higher Secondary School (5) |
| 2020–21 | Generations (1) |
| 2021–22 | Aga Khan, Kharadar (2) |
| 2022–23 | Karachi Grammar School (3) |
| 2023–24 | Karachi Grammar School (4) |
The senior girls category was introduced in the 2014-15 season with the primary goal of creating a platform that would allow young women to develop and grow in football. This initiative aimed to break barriers and provide equal opportunities for girls to participate in organized, competitive football. By offering this category, Karachi United hoped to foster the growth of female athletes, helping them enhance their skills, gain exposure, and build confidence on the field. It was a crucial step toward promoting gender equality in sports, empowering girls to pursue football as a passion or career, and contributing to the overall development of women's football in the region.[2]
The inaugural season was by XYZ school before KGS won 2 back to back titles. SMB Fatima Jinnah, the only government school in the tournament emerged victorious against all odds to secure their first title in the 2017-18 season.[8][9] The Aga Khan schools won 3 of the next 4 championships, albeit with different campuses with Generations securing their first title in the 2020-21 season. KGS then won back to back titles once again after 5 years to become the most successful school in the senior girls category.
Performances
[edit] School/College
|
Title(s) | Seasons won |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi Grammar School | 4 | 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024 |
| Aga Khan, Kharadar | 2 | 2019, 2022 |
| SMB Fatima Jinnah | 1 | 2018 |
| Aga Khan, Higher Secondary School | 1 | 2020 |
| Generations | 1 | 2021 |
Junior Boys
[edit]| Organising body | Karachi United |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 |
| Region | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Number of teams |
|
| Current champions | Bay View Academy (1st title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Foundation Public School (2 titles) |
| Website | karachiunited |
| 2024–25 Karachi United School Championship | |
| 2019–20 | Foundation Public School (1) |
| 2020–21 | Aga Khan, Garden (1) |
| 2021–22 | Alpha School (1) |
| 2022–23 | Foundation Public School (2) |
| 2023–24 | Bay View Academy (1) |
The junior boys category was introduced in the 2019-20 season as part of a strategic effort to promote football among younger students and nurture their love for the sport from an early age. By creating this new age group, the initiative aimed to provide a structured platform for young boys to develop their football skills, engage in healthy competition, and build teamwork and sportsmanship. This category allows schools to introduce football at a grassroots level, encouraging participation, physical activity, and the overall growth of youth football.[2]
Foundation Public School (FPS) were the champions in the inaugural season. Aga Khan, Garden and Alpha School won the championship in the 2020-21 and the 2021-22 season respectively, before FPS won it again in the 2022-23 season extending their titles to two.[2] Bay View Academy emerged victorious in the 2023-24 season for their first title.
Performances
[edit] School/College
|
Title(s) | Seasons won |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Public School | 2 | 2020, 2023 |
| Aga Khan, Garden | 1 | 2021 |
| Alpha School | 1 | 2022 |
| Bay View Academy | 1 | 2024 |
Junior Girls
[edit]| Organising body | Karachi United |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Region | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Number of teams |
|
| Current champions | Karachi Grammar School (1st title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Karachi Grammar School (1 title) |
| Website | karachiunited |
| 2024–25 Karachi United School Championship | |
| 2023–24 | Karachi Grammar School (1) |
To encourage the growth and participation of young girls in football, the junior girls category was introduced in the 2023-24 season as part of a larger initiative to develop the sport at a grassroots level. This new category provided a platform for younger female players to engage in competitive football, fostering their skills, confidence, and passion for the game from an early age. The introduction of this category marks a significant step in promoting gender equality in sports and empowering girls through football.
KGS were crowned champions of the inaugural season.
Performances
[edit] School/College
|
Title(s) | Seasons won |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi Grammar School | 1 | 2024 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Events". karachiunited.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Karachi United Annual Report 2022-2023" (PDF). karachiunited.com. April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
- ^ "Karachi United: Passing on Hope with Football". www.diaryofapmpmom.com. December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ "About the Club". karachiunited.com.
- ^ "Karachi United". www.pakpedia.pk. March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "Karachi United impress on Qatar soccer tour". www.dawn.com. October 19, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2008.
- ^ "Going for gold: KGS crowned football champions". tribune.com.pk. January 24, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
- ^ "SMB Fatima Jinnah crowned champions". tribune.com.pk. January 30, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ^ "SMB Fatima Jinnah Govt Girls School win Karachi United School Championship 2017". www.geo.tv. January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.