Australian rules football in Pakistan

Sport overview
country = Pakistan
sport = Australian rules football


imagesize = 115px
caption =
union = AFL Pakistan
nickname = Dragoons
formed = April 1st 2006, Mingora
registered = 100+ (adult)
clubs = 6
match =
league =
national1 =
club1 = Tanzeem-E-Insidad-E-Manshyiate Swords
club2 = Swat Public School Eagles
club3 = Jehan-Zeb College Dolphins
club4 = GHS3 Bulls
club5 = Peshawar Colors
club6 = University of Malakand
country

Australian rules football has been played in Pakistan since 2006, starting with the creation of the Australian Rules Football Federation of Pakistan, based in the city of Mingora, Swat Valley. In 2007, the ARFFP changed their name to AFL Pakistan, aligning themselves with other football bodies worldwide. It was also hoped that this new name and image would make them a more attractive organisation to potential sponsors.

AFL Pakistan was formed on April 1 2006 by Tanzeem-E-Insidad-E-Manshyiate. Mumtaz Ali Khan was instrumental in setting up the initial competition and became the organisation's first President. In November 2006, Mumtaz Ali Khan opted to vacate the role of President and take on a more active role as Programme Development Officer, in the hope of further encouraging the sport's growth throughout Pakistan. Habib ul Haq, Vice President at the time, took up the role of President.

Other notable roles are:
Secretary - Aman Ullah Khan
Treasurer - Naeem Ullah Khan
Director - Muhammad Wahid
Instructor - Muhammad Zaman Khan

History

Currently AFL Pakistan has held one round-robin competition in Mingora, four clubs attended. Since then, two more clubs have been established, one in Peshawar and one at the University of Malakand. Plans have been established for mirror competitions elsewhere in Pakistan and in the future, in Afghanistan and Kashmir. The 2006 season was won by The Bulls.

Current Competition

There are six football teams in Pakistan at the moment, all located in the North-West Frontier Province. Five of these are based around educational institutions.

The clubs are:
*Tanzeem-E-Insidad-E-Manshyiate (Swords)
*Swat Public School (Eagles)
*Jehan-Zeb College (Dolphis)
*Government High School #3 (Bulls)
*Peshawar (Colors)
*University of Malakand

Pakistani National Side

The Pakistani national side are known as the Dragoons. They have not competed in any matches yet, but are hopeful of sending a side to the 2008 Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne.

External links

* [http://www.gloryindex.com/afl.html Official AFL Pakistan Website]
* [http://www.aussierulesinternational.com/pakistan.php Aussie Rules International]

ources

* [http://www.gloryindex.com/afl.html Official AFL Pakistan Website]
* [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060618063237762 Pakistan keen to spread the word]
* [http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=20060518040455755&query=Pakistan College tournament planned for North-West Pakistan]