Zang Bazar FC Beats Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy to Win Chitral Football League

The Zang Bazar FC football club from Chitral secured the championship title in the 6th season of the Chitral Football League in their inaugural appearance. The tournament, hosted in Drosh, Chitral, featured 15 teams, including 6 out-of-district department clubs, with games culminating in a knockout format. Zang Bazar's journey to victory was marked by their unexpected run, as they first faced and narrowly lost to Pakistan Navy, then overcame Chitral's leading club, HQ Jughoor, through a penalty shootout, and ultimately triumphed over Pakistan Army, also on penalties.

The decisive final saw Zang Bazar triumph against Pakistan Navy again, prevailing 4-2 on penalties after a goalless extra time. Zang Bazar's success was notable given their team's lack of players who had represented the national team; Umer Sadozai, a marquee signing from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, was recognized as the Player of the Tournament.

Prominent figures in attendance included Lt Col Hassan Abbas and Lt Col Junaid Wasim from the Chitral Scouts' 143 Wing, Mujahid Tareen, the former Technical Director of the Pakistan Football Federation, and Bilal Mumtaz, the DFA Upper Chitral President and Zang Bazar FC President. The league's inaugural triumph by a local village club underscored a historic moment in Chitral's sports history, with Zang Bazar being awarded 300,000 Rs in prize money by the organizers.

The celebrations following their win included a 5-hour cavalcade from Drosh to Chitral Town. Bilal Mumtaz, speaking on behalf of the club, emphasized the significance of this achievement, recognizing it as a monumental moment not just for Zang Bazar, but for the entire region of Chitral.