The KMC Football Stadium, also known as the CDGK Stadium,[2] is an association football stadium in Karachi, Pakistan, with a capacity of around 15,000.[3] The stadium is owned by the Karachi Municipal Corporation.
It is one of the oldest stadiums in the country, and has hosted over 100 international football matches. Pakistan team has played here against visiting teams from the USSR, Iran, China, Turkey, Kuwait, Korea, Japan, Germany and USA.[4][5]
History
Early years
President of Pakistan Ayub Khan (far right) witnessing a football game at the KMC Stadium in 1958.
The stadium was built before the partition of British Raj, as a piece of barren land surrounded by a 12 ft wall.[5]
In 1956, in a match featuring Keamari Union against Baloch XI, the pavilion collapsed with close to 100 people getting injured.[6]
The then commissioner of Karachi, Ghulam Ahmed Madni visited the ground after the tragedy, being instructed by the president of Pakistan Ayub Khan, to start the renovation work in 1962.[5]
Ayub Khan with the KMC football team.
The stadium also had their own club called KMC football team, which was formed in the same decade in which the venue was established.[6]
1968–2000
In 1968, the stadium hosted its first tournament, which featured teams from former East Pakistan.[5]
During the 1960s, many foreign teams toured Karachi for friendly matches, including China in 1963, Indonesia in 1964, Neftçi PFK from the USSR in November 1964, along with some youth teams from the Soviet Union.[5]
Pakistan XI in a friendly against FC Kairat from the Soviet Union at the KMC Stadium in 1968.
The area possessed a unique footballing identity which was born in the slums of Orangi, Landhi, Korangi, Malir and Lyari, dominated by players from the Sheedi and Makrani communities.[5]
2001–Present
The venue hosted the 2009 national league's football final, with 15,000 people in attendance. Karachi United, the first Pakistani football club with almost 100,000 followers on Facebook, use the stadium for some games.[7]FC Karachi also use the stadium for some of their home games.
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