Islamabad (TDI): In a heartwarming gesture of friendship and sports diplomacy, Turkiye has extended strong support to Pakistan’s Street Child Football Team ahead of their participation in the prestigious Norway Cup 2025.
At a ceremony held in Islamabad, Turkiye’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, handed over official sports kits to the team, reaffirming his country’s commitment to youth development and deepening people-to-people ties.
“This is more than just a sports collaboration, it’s about shared dreams,” said Dr. Neziroglu, addressing the event titled ‘Empowering Street Children through Sports and Solidarity’, organized by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in partnership with Muslim Hands Pakistan.
Reflecting on the long-standing brotherhood between the two nations, the ambassador quipped, “Turks are crazy about football, Pakistanis breathe cricket, but that gap is closing. We’re even forming our own cricket team in Turkiye.”
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Dr. Neziroglu recalled his recent meeting with Syed Javed Gillani, Executive Director of Muslim Hands, in Sialkot, where both sides agreed to amplify their joint efforts for uplifting underprivileged youth through sports.
“These children are the future of this country,” he remarked. “In the coming years, I believe many of them will represent Pakistan at international football events. We’re even planning a tournament for them in Turkiye.”
TIKA, the Turkish development agency, has been active in Pakistan since 2010, executing over 700 projects. Just last week, the agency planted over 250 trees in Fatima Jinnah Park as part of its ongoing environmental efforts. “You dream it,” Dr. Neziroglu said, “Pak-Turkish friendship will make it happen.”
TIKA’s Pakistan Coordinator, Saliha Tuna, praised the Sports for Development initiative by Muslim Hands and emphasized that the support goes far beyond the football field. “This isn’t just about a game,” she said. “It’s about hope, dignity, and opening doors that were once shut for these children.”
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She added that backing the team for the Norway Cup is a proud moment for TIKA and wished the players success as they prepare to face the world’s best youth football teams.
Speaking at the event, Muslim Hands’ Syed Javed Gillani revealed that the team, competing under the name Muslim Hands FC, will represent Pakistan at the Norway Cup 2025 in Oslo, scheduled from July 26 to August 2. The tournament, known as the world’s largest youth football competition, attracts over 2,000 teams from across the globe.
In a major development, the team will also embark on a historic tour of the United Kingdom after the Norway Cup. There, they will face youth sides from Premier League clubs, participate in specialized training camps, and gain exposure at some of the top football academies.
Gillani said the initiative is being run in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, and the team was selected through talent hunts conducted nationwide to ensure inclusive representation from all provinces.
“This journey is not just about football,” he said. “It’s about showing the world a different side of Pakistan, full of potential, peace, and promise.”
Young footballer Ubaidullah, speaking on behalf of the team, expressed gratitude to both Muslim Hands and TIKA. “We were chosen from thousands of boys,” he said. “Now we’re not just playing for ourselves, we’re playing for Pakistan.”
The professional-grade kits, marked with TIKA’s logo, will serve as the team’s official gear during the Norway Cup, symbolizing Turkiye’s unwavering support on the world stage.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
