PPL Balochistan Football Cup from today

KARACHI: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) Balochistan Football Cup 2016 will begin at the six divisional headquarters of the province on Tuesday (today).

A hefty budget of Rs12 million will be spent on the event which is the first major competition in terms of finances and teams’ strength in Balochistan which has been massively contributing to football development.

The 32-team opening round will last till July 30. One team each from Makran, Zhob, Sibi and Naseerabad divisions and two outfits each from Quetta and Kalat divisions will qualify for the quarter-finals.

The final phase will be held at the Ayub Stadium, Quetta, from August 7-12.

Teams from Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, Chagi and Nushki will compete in the Quetta division slots in the first phase at the Football Ground Nushki.

In the Kalat division round, Lasbela, Awaran, Kharan, Washuk, Mastung, Khuzdar and Kalat will compete at the Ghous Bux Bazing Stadium, Khuzdar.

In the Makran division leg, Turbat, Pasni, Gawadar and Panjgur will show their worth at Baba Bazinjo Ground, Gwadar.

In the Sibi division slots which will be held at the Ziarat Football Ground, teams from Dera Bugti, Sibi, Kohlu, Harnai and Ziarat will participate.

The Zhob division competitions will be contested among Lora Lai, Barkhan, Zhob, Musa Khel, Sherani and Qila Saifullah at the Nawab Timoor Shah Joegezai Football Stadium, Qilla Saifullah.

The Naseerabad division round will be held at the College Football Ground Ustad Mohammad among Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur and Kachhi (Bolan).

The winners will get Rs500,000 and the runners-up Rs350,000. The teams losing at the Inter-District phase will receive Rs40,000 each. The winners of each division will get Rs120,000 each.

The losing quarter-finalists will get richer by Rs150,000 each and the losing semi-finalists will grab Rs250,000 each.