The Story Of PAF Chapter's Football Team

Words of Rimsha Khan
Submission by Daniyal Naeem

 "This is how we see these players now, smiling. They've conquered the raging seas. But, their story, as every other story, had its share of highs and lows, ups and downs, those moments when nothing makes sense and then the glory that makes everything worth it. So, fasten your seat belts. The story you're about to hear is as exhilarating as it can get."

Here goes, the Story of PAF Chapter's Football Team. :)

Ever wondered what happens when Passion and Love collide? Think. Well, let me make it a little clearer. What happens when Passion for Football and Love for Chapter collide and become one? Yes, you’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking. This collision gives us greats like none other than our own Chapter Football team. In times when we hailed for events like PAFMUN, elections, the efforts of the Outreach and PSS, did we ever wonder what these eleven, absolutely fanatical players have been doing for the past year?

Their passion for football is fierce, no less than a raging fire, and their love for Chapter only provides more fuel to the fire that keeps getting stronger. They train, play and put themselves out there so that WE, the students feel PROUD to be a PAFIAN. These players give their all just to make their school proud. 

Their zeal is endless and their enthusiasm is indescribable. The PAF Chapter A Levels Football team has made our school’s head rise with pride on numerous occasions.

The team started off their season with the Zamzama United Schools Championship. This was the first time this tournament was held and so was eagerly waited for by the ten teams taking part in it. The tournament kicked off on 8th November 2012. Our players went up against Southshore Titans in the first game of the tournament on 9th November 2012. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the young Muhammad Afridi scoring for Chapter. Next up, our team played against Bayview College on 10th November 2012. After a tough competition, Chapter prevailed, beating Bayview by a goal to nil. The goal being scored by our left back, Zainuddin Chawla. Our next match was scheduled against Lyceum B on 11th November, 2012. The team TROUNCED the opponents with a mighty 6-0 win! The goals coming from our very own captain Naveed Subhan Lone (3), Muhammad Afridi (2) and the aggressive Faizan Khalid (1). The team met up with Lyceum A on 14th November 2012 but the match ended in a goal-less draw. However, we managed to top our group and qualify for the Semi Finals of the Championship.

ZUSC Semi-Final moment.
(left to right) Naveed, Afridi, a KGS player and Shabbir Ali.

The Semi Final of the Zamzama United Championship got scheduled on 29th November, 2012. The team was head on against Karachi Grammar School. The game ended in a goal-less draw yet again after extra time. Hence, a penalty shootout took place. The match ended in a disappointing manner, as KGS beat Chapter on penalties (3-1). While Afridi scored for us, Naveed, Faizan and Hamza Khatri missed their penalties. Although it ended in a sad way, the boys put up one hell of a fight and still came across as Semi-Finalists of a major tournament.

Our ZUSC Semi-finalists.
"They are the ones who play for the name on the front, not the back.
THIS is what makes them strong."

As we all stepped into a new year, 2013, the team anticipated the HBL Karachi United School Championship; the biggest tournament of the year. The highlight being the fact that the Semi-Final and Final were to be aired on television. On 7th January, 2013, HBL KUSC draws took place. PAF Chapter's Football team was placed in group B along with The City School Darakshan, Cordoba School and BVS Parsi. The KUSC tournament kicked off on 12th January 2013, with our team playing against City School Darakshan. We managed to trample Darakshan with a humongous 6-0 victory. The goals being scored by our center back Daniyal Naeem (2), Afridi (2), Shabbir Ali (1) and Atta Malik (1). The tournament proceeded and our next match was scheduled against Cordoba School on 20th January, 2013. The team managed a comfortable win against Cordoba with a satisfying score line of 3-0. The goals were scored by the guy who needs no introduction, Aliasghar Makati (2), and our number 8, Daniyal Naeem (1). The team went up against BVS Parsi next on 26th January 2013 and bagged another win of the tournament rather comfortably. Makati, Shahmir and Atta, all managed to score a goal each while the opponents managed just one goal in response, courtesy of a defensive error.

The team marched into the Pre-Quarter Final stage with a high morale and confident approach. The match was to be played against Bahria College on 3rd February 2013. The score line after extra time remained 0-0 hence, a penalty shootout took place once again. A nerve wracking end as Naveed, Afridi, Naeem, Sherdil and Makati all scored their penalties and took Chapter to victory with a 5-4 win. The tournament was supposed to continue, however, the city law and order situation deteriorated and the tournament was postponed till further notice.

On 4th February 2013 the Inter School tournament kicked off and the opening ceremony took place at the UBL sports complex. On 6th February, 2013, a charity match took place in which 4 teams participated. Our school teamed up with Nixor College, while the other side consisted of KGS and Lyceum. Chapter and Nixor, though fierce rivals, worked together quite brilliantly to win 1-0, the goal coming from Nixor’s Sheheryar Jahangir. On 7th February 2013, City PAF played against City North Nazimabad. The City School North team was crushed with a heavy defeat as the scoreline showed a whooping 10 goals to nil. The never ending list of goal scorers was: Osaid Tabrez (4), Moiz (1), Tauqeer (1), Shahmir (1), Naveed (1), Khalid (1) and Hammad Javed Khan (1). The next match was played on 12th February 2013 against City School PECHS. Once again, our team managed to put up an exceptional performance, sealing the game with an incredible 6-0 win! The goals were scored by Shahmir (3), Naeem (1), Osaid (1) and Moiz (1). The Final was scheduled on 14th February 2013, against our blood rivals City Gulshan. Though the match ended goal-less even after extra time, The City School PAF Chapter lifted the Inter Branch Cup after defeating City Gulshan on penalties 4-2. Our penalties were scored by Naveed, Naeem, Osaid and Moiz.

PAF Chapter's Team in white at the TCS Inter-Branch finals.

After almost a month’s gap, KUSC came back in action after the city's law and order situation settled. On 3rd March 2013, Chapter played their quarter final against Bayview College. After a tough game, Chapter’s number 7, Mohammad Afridi managed to score the only goal of the game and helped our school march into the Semi Final.

On 9th March, 2013, our defending midfielder, Hamza Khatri met with a serious car accident after returning from his tuition. Due to severe injuries, he was rushed to the hospital where he was provided the necessary treatment. However, the injuries proved to be fatal, and Hamza Khatri passed away. The school lost a gem and the team lost a brother. No words can describe the emotional setback that these players went through. The suddenness of the incident and shock had literally swept the floor from underneath their feet. For two weeks, nobody played, nobody trained. Everybody knew that the semi final was around the corner, but the blazing passion with which the players played was no longer there. The will to win and the will to succeed had taken the back seat. All that they knew was that Hamza was no more and that nothing would ever be the same again.

In such time of distress, Hamza’s parents stood firm and strong. Only they knew what sorrow was buried within their hearts, but they encouraged the team to play, and to play well. Our pack leader, Miss Shireen Karamally wasted no time and bucked up the players, it was time that they used the emotional loss and turned it into their strength. Hamza Khatri’s absence was a knife in the heart of all those players, but, they only had one thing in mind now: Play for Hamza, win for Hamza.

And they went ahead, with Hamza in their hearts.
May Hamza Khatri be rewarded a place in Jannah. Aameen.

On 22nd March 2013, the KUSC semi final was scheduled, and we were to play against the Southshore Titans. On paper, Southshore was a well trained team and we had never beaten them before. On the other hand, we were playing with no training and with one of our major players gone. However, at this time, it was all mind over matter. It didn’t matter whether we had trained or not, it didn’t matter whether we had beaten the Titans or not, what mattered was our brother, his love for football and his aspiration to win the KUSC. 

The school left no tables upturned in supporting the football team; buses were arranged and special T-shirts saying 'Rest in Peace Hamza Khatri' were worn by the massive crowd of PAF Chapter's supporters. As the semi final was being played, Chapter’s crowd went sensational; the emotion and passion were captured on television too. Southshore’s Nabeel Baloch scored a goal in the opening few minutes of the game. It was a major setback, but the team was persistent in their efforts and they only knew one thing: they HAVE to win it for Hamza Khatri. Just as the game was ending and all hopes were lost, in what was probably the last kick of the game, Haider Illahi, yes, the guy substituting for Hamza, scored the equaliser! That moment, was surreal. The joy of coming back in the game and the elation of coming close to winning it for Hamza, EVERYTHING was suddenly magnified. As the adrenaline took over the hearts and bodies of our players, the game ended with a score line of one goal to each side. 

Haider Ilahi in action at KUSC Semi-Final.

EXTRA-TIME! 

At this moment, every citizen, every heart, every person was praying. They WANTED us to win! Three minutes into extra time, Chapter earned a corner. Our winger, Fahad Rehman, kicked the ball with utmost accuracy and Moiz Khan (sub: Afridi) managed to score a brilliant header which turned out to be the winner!

Meet M. Moiz Khan! :D

The celebration that followed can be termed as insane, fanatic, crazy and thrilling! But it was ALL justified. These boys could see victory close up and they patiently waited for the referee’s whistle to blow. After the match finished, two heroes, no actually three came up: Haider Illahi, M.Moiz Khan and of course, our brother Hamza Khatri. Playing for him and winning it for him was what they wanted and achieving it made the team aim higher: the KUSC trophy. After the semi-final, one thing was for sure, this was destined to be and Allah was backing the team up with His support and all they needed to do was give in their 200 percent.

On 23rd March, 2013, Pakistan Day, all students thronged to the Baloch Mujahid stadium to support PAF Chapter against Nixor College and in hopes of witnessing history being created. PAF Chapter was in the final of KUSC second time in a row; first time in 2012 when they played against Nixor College but lost the match 3-2. However, now, they returned to correct the mistakes, change the silver into gold and most importantly, play for their brother. Before the match, a tribute was paid to Hamza Khatri when everybody observed a minute of silence in his remembrance. The match started and Nixor played their top notch game. Their attack could have easily rattled any team, but we were formidable opponents. Our defense was exceptional and our goal keeper, Waleed Sherdil made impossible saves. The score remained 0-0 after extra time as well, and a penalty shootout took place. All eyes, ears and hearts were on Waleed Sherdil, our goalie. As the crowd became restless and the nerves started to give up, the five players stood strong as their penalties approached. Every person watching the match, whether on television, or live in the stadium was about to cry, throw up or simply just faint. THAT was the level of pressure everybody felt, but since nobody could do anything, everybody PRAYED. Prayed to Allah to help us, prayed for us to win, prayed to help us win for Hamza!

And this is JUST one-fourth of the crowd of PAF Chapter that rang the stadium with  echoes of
 'Chapter Jeetay Ga'

Those excruciating ten minutes of ten penalties were probably the LONGEST ones of our lives. After 5 penalties each, Naveed and Naeem, missed their penalties for us while Afridi, Illahi and Waleed scored their respective ones and Sherdil blocked two. Hence, the score line was 3-3 which meant Sudden Death. One by one, team members came to take the penalties and scored. Nixor, then Chapter, and it continued. 4 all, 5 all, 6 all. The score just kept on leveling and changing. Every time we scored, sighs of relief were heaved, every time Nixor scored, well, not so much. As PAF Chapter’s Atta Malik scored the 7th penalty for us, Nixor’s Adil Khan came in to take his. As he kicked the ball, Waleed Sherdil BLOCKED it! Yes, THAT MOMENT, is still unbelievable. The entire stadium RAN to the center and cheers for Chapter were sung. Hamza Khatri, our deceased brother, the team played for him, the team stuck together for him and the team WON for him. And, there is absolutely NO doubt in the fact that Allah helped them all through it. He somehow gave these young boys the strangth to play with zeal even after such a big vacuum in their lives. Chapter won the KUSC for the first time EVER, and Waleed “the wall” Sherdil received the well earned trophy of the “Most Valuable Player”. All A2s, including our captain, represented this school for the very last time. An end to an era and a legacy passed on.

Waleed 'the wall' Sherdil receiving his MVP trophy.

The KUSC trophy now sits in Hamza’s room and his gold medal hangs around it. Who knew that a tragedy so big, and so severe could lead our boys to THIS? Our team has truly defined the word family: One for all and ALL for ONE. Indeed, brothers for life. When I look at these players I find inspiration, love, passion, loss and anger too. These players stuck together till the VERY END and did not stop BELIEVING. Yes, it’s the belief that they carried for those two weeks that they can and they WILL win it for Hamza; and they DID. Our football team, not only proved to be the best, but it also managed to pass on a very positive message to every single person out there; people may leave us, but we do not stop living. Instead, we turn that person’s absence into our strength. Just like Tony Dorsett once said, "To succeed... You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you." Our motivation was none other than HAMZA KHATRI (May you R.I.P, brother).
Today, personally, I am IMMENSELY proud of what this team has achieved. Today, you boys have definitely made the school VERY PROUD. No words are good enough to appreciate your courage and strength, but we sure as hell respect you guys for it. Chapter Football Team: you are our pride, you are our hope and you guys are the light that taught us how to stand up when you fall. All the best for the future guys, may you succeed and may you guys stay like this FOREVER. (Ameen).

1st Row (L to R): Faizan Khalid, Daniyal Naeem, Waleed Sherdil, Samad Raza Khan and Zain ud din Chawla.
2nd Row (L to R): Haider Ilahi, Naveed Subhan Lone and Aliasgher Makati
3rd Row (L to R): Moiz Khan, Sharukh Naviwala and Shahmir Khan

Not only did they prove themselves as the DREAM TEAM, but also became the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS by defeating the KUSC Lahore winners.

They are truly PAF Chapter's Heroes.