Meet the history makers.

The Smurfs, from Islamabad, became the first ever winners of the Leisure Leagues Womens Cup, a brand new initiative from Leisure Leagues to make the sport of 6 a side football ever more inclusive and open to everyone.

The inaugural women’s cup also saw CLFC, CLFC Youth, Charcoal FC, Summerf FC, Young Rising Star FC, Black Star FC, Comsats FC and Popo FC take part, is a major step forward for football in Pakistan.

In many ways it didn’t matter who won, as all the women involved were trailblazers, but it was The Smurfs who prevailed, and saw their star player Eshal Fayyaz score eight goals.

They beat Charcoal FC 4-1 in a thrilling final, but at least the defeated side had the major bonus of seeing their goalkeeper Momina Abid named as the stopper of the tournament due to her fine form.

A mark of the importance of the tournament was shown perhaps by the attendance of Pakistan Ladies skipper Sana Mehmood, while World Group Chairman Mehmood Trunkwala explained that such events were far from being a one-off.   Mr. Trunkwala said that Leisure Leagues are intent on bringing football throughout the country and is taking special initiatives like the women’s cup to empower young women through sports.

These thoughts were echoed by Leisure Leagues Director, Tom Nash, who could not hide his delight at the women’s cup: “Such an event is a perfect example of the joy that 6 a side football can bring throughout the world, not just to Pakistan.”

Mr. Nash continued: “Wherever there is a Leisure League there is a beacon of community, something for people to focus on, as the sport brings joy to both men and women of all ages wherever they live in the world.

“It is marvellous to see the women’s cup in Pakistan, and we look forward to it being a regular part of the football calendar and in other cities too. Our congratulations not just to The Smurfs, but to all the ladies involved throughout the tournament.”