KMC Football Stadium
An upper view of KMC Football Ground
LocationSaddar Town, Karachi, Pakistan
Coordinates24°51′3″N 66°59′29″E / 24.85083°N 66.99139°E / 24.85083; 66.99139
OwnerCity District Government Karachi
Capacity15,000[1]
SurfaceGrass
Opened1956[2]
Tenants
KPT F.C., Karachi United

The KMC Football Stadium, also known as the CDGK Stadium,[3] is an association football stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, with a capacity of 15,000. It belongs to the Karachi Municipal Corporation.

It is one of the oldest stadiums in the country, and has hosted over 100 international football matches for Pakistan, along with teams from USSR, Iran, China, Turkey, Kuwait, Korea, Japan, Germany and USA touring the stadium.[4][5][6]

History

Early years

President of Pakistan Ayub Khan (far right) witnessing a football game at the KMC Stadium in 1958.

The stadium was built before the partition of British Raj, as a piece of barren land surrounded by a 12 ft wall.[6]

In 1956, in a match featuring Keamari Union against Baloch XI, the pavilion collapsed with close to 100 people getting injured.[7]

The then commissioner of Karachi, Ghulam Ahmed Madni visited the ground after the tragedy, being instructed by the president of Pakistan Ayub Khan, to start the renovation work in 1962.[6]

Ayub Khan with the KMC football team.

The stadium also had their own club called KMC football team, which was formed in the same decade in which the venue was established.[7]

1968–2000

In 1968, the stadium hosted its first tournament, which featured teams from former East Pakistan.[6]

During the 1960s, many foreign teams toured Karachi for friendly matches, including China in 1963, Indonesia in 1964, FC Neftyanik from the USSR in November 1964, along with some youth teams from the Soviet Union.[6]

Pakistan in a friendly against a team from the Soviet Union at the KMC Stadium in 1968.

The area possessed a unique footballing identity which was born in the slums of Orangi, Landhi, Korangi, Malir and Lyari, dominated by players from the Sheedi and Makrani communities.[6]

2001–Present

The venue hosted the 2009 national league's football final, with 15,000 people in attendance. Karachi United, the first Pakistani football club with almost 100,000 followers on Facebook, use the stadium for some games.[8] FC Karachi also use the stadium for some of their home games.

KMC is one of the two venues for the 2021 National Women Football Championship.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News". www.thenews.com.pk.
  2. ↑ "The story of Karachi's KMC football stadium | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  3. ↑ Editorial Staff (2012-08-28). "Why is PFF ignoring KMC football stadium?". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  4. ↑ Editorial Staff (2011-03-06). "KMC football stadium face worst scenario of negligence". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  5. ↑ Editorial Staff (2012-05-09). "KMC football stadium remains neglected". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Editorial Staff (2017-05-10). "KMC Football stadium: Downtrodden glory [ARY]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  7. 1 2 Editorial Staff (2020-06-07). "The story of Karachi's KMC football stadium [TNS]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  8. ↑ "Shahzad M'Dan retain PLF crown". DAWN.COM. February 16, 2009.


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