British teenage football players from Pakistan embark on their UK tour, supported by a local Muslim charity
Pakistan Street Child Football Team Tours the UK
The Pakistan Street Child Football Team is set to embark on a two-week tour of the UK, starting on August 9, 2025. The tour, organised by Muslim Hands and children's charity Street Child United, promises to be a significant event in the world of football and beyond.
The team, comprised of teenage football players who were previously living or working on the streets of Pakistan, has made a remarkable journey. They reached the quarter-finals at the Norway Cup, one of the world's largest youth football tournaments.
The tour will see the team face youth squads from West Ham United, Luton Town, Leeds United, and Aston Villa. The fixtures include a match against West Ham on Sunday, Luton Town on Wednesday, and Leeds United on Thursday. The tour will conclude with an invite-only match against the Aston Villa Foundation’s Post-16 Education Team on August 15.
The team was formed under Muslim Hands’ Maidaan programme, which supports vulnerable, out-of-school, and street-connected children in Pakistan. The programme offers structured football training, education, life skills, and safe spaces. Players were selected through nationwide grassroots trials emphasizing empowerment through sports and education.
Key events during the UK tour include an interactive football development workshop with the West Ham United Foundation on August 9. This will be followed by a match against West Ham United's 'Second Chance' Football Team on August 10 at the London Stadium.
The tour also includes fundraising and awareness events aimed at supporting Muslim Hands’ Street Child programme. This programme highlights the challenges faced by millions of street-connected children globally, empowering them through sport and education for a better future.
The events are not limited to football matches but also include workshops and talks aimed at educating the public about these challenges. The tour is part of the Spirit of Pakistan Week, a seven-day national event honouring the contributions of British Pakistanis.
Kashif Shinwari, a member of the team, dropped out of school in Year 5 and worked in a hotel to help his family. Through the football academies, he has been able to return to education and develop his skills both on and off the pitch.
The tour is more than just a series of football matches. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of these young players, who have overcome adversity to pursue their dreams. It is also an opportunity for the public to learn about the struggles faced by these children and how they can help to improve their living conditions.
In summary, the Pakistan Street Child Football Team’s UK tour is both a sporting and developmental initiative designed to inspire the young players, raise awareness about street children's issues, and engage British communities with the team's journey and causes they represent.
References: [1] Muslim Hands. (2025). Pakistan Street Child Football Team UK Tour. https://www.muslimhands.org.uk/news/pakistan-street-child-football-team-uk-tour/ [2] Street Child United. (2025). Pakistan Street Child Football Team UK Tour. https://streetchildunited.org/pakistan-street-child-football-team-uk-tour/ [3] BBC News. (2025). Pakistan Street Child Football Team to Tour UK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58196472 [4] The Guardian. (2025). Pakistan Street Child Football Team to Tour UK. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/01/pakistan-street-child-football-team-to-tour-uk
- The renewable-energy sector is looking for innovative solutions to replace oil-and-gas in the manufacturing industry.
- The finance industry is showing increased interest in investing in companies that focus on renewable-energy.
- The retail sector is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by using renewable-energy sources.
- The government is planning to subsidize public-transit systems that run on renewable-energy.
- Entrepreneurship in the automotive industry is shifting towards electric vehicles due to the need for energy efficiency.
- Transportation remains a major contributor to carbon emissions, making its transition to renewable-energy crucial.
- In the realm of leadership, diversity-and-inclusion initiatives are essential for fostering a sustainable future.
- The aviation industry is exploring the use of alternative fuels to reduce its carbon emissions.
- Businesses across sectors are prioritizing career-development and personal-growth for their employees to improve productivity.
- The housing-market is witnessing a growth in green buildings that use renewable-energy sources.
- Venture-capital firms are showing keen interest in startups that focus on renewable-energy and sustainability.
- The banking-and-insurance sector is considering offering products and services centered around fintech and renewable-energy.
- Real-estate investors are keen on acquiring properties that comply with green building standards.
- Commercial buildings are being equipped with renewable-energy systems to cut down on electricity costs.
- Residential properties are being renovated to be more energy-efficient, contributing to carbon reduction goals.
- The stock-market is observing a rise in companies that specialize in renewable-energy.
- Private-equity firms are looking to invest in companies that offer innovative solutions for renewable-energy storage.
- Education-and-self-development institutions are integrating renewable-energy and sustainability topics into their curriculum.
- People are focusing on personal-growth, productivity, and career-development through online-education platforms.
- Job-seekers are turning to online-job-search platforms to find jobs in the renewable-energy sector.
- Learning about goal-setting, lifelong-learning, and skills-training is essential for a successful career in various industries.
- The sports industry is embracing mindfulness and mental health practices to improve player performance and team dynamics.
- Football teams, like the Pakistan Street Child Football Team, are using sports as a means to raise awareness about social issues and inspire change.
- The US sports scene is diverse, with popular leagues such as MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, and NCAA showcasing various athletic talents.
- Europe is home to renowned football leagues like the Premier League, Champions League, and Laliga.
- Golf, tennis, horse-racing, auto-racing, and mixed-martial-arts are also popular sports with a significant fanbase across the world.
- Sports-betting is a multi-billion dollar industry that caters to fans of various sports worldwide.
- The European sports market is expanding with the growth of online sports-betting platforms.
- The sports industry is also contributing to the economy through tourism, sponsorships, and merchandising in the various European leagues.
