Pakistan Embassy Brussels holds first ever friendly match with Belgian footballers
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Whites has won a friendly football match by 4-0, played in connection with 70th independence anniversary at Schaerbeek football stadium Brussels.
Embassy of Pakistan organized the match between Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites. Two Belgian teams from Brussels participated in the match.
The Renaissance Schaerbeek teams led by Captain Channouf Safouane with Sajjad Memon as coach played as Pakistan Whites whereas Genappe team captained by Antony Guiot and Frederic Vanderkerken as its coach played as Pakistan Greens.
It was for the first time that Belgian teams played a friendly football match for Pakistan, said a message received here from Brussels on Monday.
Pakistan's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Mrs. Naghmana A. Hashmi, who was chief guest on the occasion, said aim of organizing this match was to bring Pakistani and Belgian communities closer.
She said Pakistan produces the world's best football which was evident from the fact that` made in Pakistan' footballs are used as official football in FIFA world tournaments such as FIFA World Cup 2014.
The Ambassador said, besides, providing chance for healthy activities, such events have huge potential of introducing and promoting Pakistani footballs and sportswear in Belgium.
She thanked Renaissance Club Schaerbeek for providing stadium for hosting this event.
Besides Pakistani diaspora, Belgian and diplomatic community was also invited for the match including officials from Belgian Foreign Office, European External Action Service and Journalists.
Earlier, junior teams of Pakistan Whites and Pakistan Greens also played a match. National songs were also sung on the occasion by young Pakistani origin students, Shehbaz Ghani and Adil Sardar Ghani.
The match was sponsored by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Well Trust, manufacturers of sports clothing in Sialkot Pakistan and Wembley Sports, manufacturers of footballs in Pakistan.
The match was dedicated to Belgian charity Clinclowns which makes sick children in hospital happy. There was a draw at end of match for five prizes, comprising Pakistani handicrafts from Embassy of Pakistan Brussels. Pakistani as well as Belgian audience enjoyed the match and Pakistani snacks.
An exhibition of posters depicting landscape, culture and people of Pakistan was also arranged.
