Karachi: The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) organized a one-day football tournament in Karachi to raise awareness about child labour and promote children’s rights through sports-based community engagement.
The event was held at the Aga Khan Sports Gymkhana Ground and featured four football teams representing different areas of the city. The initiative aimed to encourage youth participation in healthy recreational activities while highlighting the importance of protecting children from exploitation and hazardous labour.
Former Pakistan national football team captain Saddam Hussain attended the tournament as chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, he stressed that sports play a crucial role in the physical, mental, and social development of children. He emphasized that every child deserves a safe environment where they can learn, play, and grow without facing exploitation.
He strongly condemned child labour and urged collective action from society, government institutions, and communities to eliminate the practice. He also appreciated SPARC’s ongoing efforts in promoting child protection and child rights advocacy in Pakistan.
SPARC Project Manager Muhammad Farooq Malik said the tournament was designed to educate communities about the harmful impacts of child labour and to reinforce the importance of education, protection, and child development.
He added that SPARC is currently implementing an integrated community development project in Muhammadi Colony (Machar Colony), Karachi, focusing on education, child protection, community mobilization, and livelihood support for vulnerable families.
According to SPARC, child labour remains a serious issue in Pakistan, with many children still engaged in hazardous work due to poverty, limited access to education, and social inequality. These conditions continue to deprive children of their basic rights and opportunities for a better future.
SPARC reaffirmed its commitment to working with communities, civil society, and development partners to eliminate child labour and ensure every child enjoys a dignified childhood with access to education and protection.
