ISLAMABAD’S PRIDE: POPO FOOTBALL CLUB – WHERE LOCAL TALENT FINDS GLOBAL WINGS

KEY POINTS

• ‘Popo’: The moniker that evolved from university halls to football fields.
• Grassroots focus pays off as the club becomes a critical feeder for Pakistan U-19 and U-16 teams, instilling pride by seeing players don national colours.
• In 2022, a partnership with SKA Brasil sends two players and a coach to South America, offering life-changing global exposure unmatched by any other Pakistani club.
• Selected players receive world-class coaching, creating a nurturing environment where football dreams are built on a foundation of care. 

ISLAMABAD: In a country where cricket often drowns out the rhythm of other sports, a different kind of passion is being nurtured on the lush green fields of the federal capital.

In the world of football, where legends are born and legacies are built, there exists in Pakistan a club that stands unparalleled. It is a sanctuary for young, aspiring footballers, a place where the beautiful game is not just played but is lived with an unmatched fervour.

This is the story of Popo Football Club, a tale woven with threads of dedication, dreams, and the indomitable spirit of its founder.

A Labour of Love: More Than Just a Club

For the football-loving youth of Pakistan, the 21st century brought with it a new ray of hope. Nestled in the heart of Islamabad, the country's most beautiful city, lies POPO FC, a club that has become synonymous with exceptional, praiseworthy, and world-class training. It is a place where raw talent is chiselled into professional skill.

The respect for this institution is so profound that even rival clubs, in their own gatherings, sing praises of the remarkable work being done here. And the credit for this beacon of hope rests squarely on the shoulders of one man: a man of steel, known to the world as Haris bin Haroon, affectionately called Popo.

The Man Behind the Mission: From Lecturer to Mentor

The story of POPO FC is not one of corporate sponsorships or inherited wealth; it is a story of personal sacrifice and a deep-seated love for the game.

It began in 2012 with Haris bin Haroon, then a business lecturer at International Islamic University, Islamabad. It was here that his students, inspired by his teaching style, gave him the nickname 'Popo', a moniker that would one day become a symbol of footballing excellence in Pakistan.

What started as a small team participating in local Islamabad tournaments soon blossomed into a vision. Haroon saw beyond the makeshift goals and dusty grounds; he saw the potential in Pakistan's youth.

His vision was to create a formal academy, a home for young talent, leading to the official establishment of the POPO Football Club academy.

Nurturing Dreams, One Player at a Time

The true measure of POPO FC's success is not just in the trophies it holds, but in the hearts it has shaped.

The club’s primary focus has always been on grassroots development. This commitment bore fruit in 2019 when the club became a critical feeder for the national side, producing numerous outstanding players for both the Pakistan U-19 and U-16 teams as they prepared for the 2020 AFC Championship qualifiers.

The pride of seeing their boys don the national colours is a feeling that resonates deeply within the club's walls.

The professional debut in the 2020 PFF National Challenge Cup was a testimony to their youth-centric approach. They played with the fearless spirit of underdogs, securing a memorable 2-1 victory against Safe Tax in their very first match. Though they didn't advance past the group stage, they had made their mark, proving they belonged on the bigger stage.

A Dream Realised: The Brazilian Connection

For any footballer, playing in Brazil is a fantasy. For the young men at POPO FC, that fantasy became a breathtaking reality in 2022.

In a landmark partnership with Futebol Clube SKA Brasil, the club sent two of its finest, Waleed Khan and Muhammad Rizwan, along with coach Shehzad Anwar, to train and play with the Brazilian club's U-20 side.

It was a moment of profound validation, not just for the players, but for the entire POPO FC family, a tangible sign that their hard work was being recognised on a global scale. No other club in Pakistan has been able to offer its young talents such a life-changing opportunity.

The Heartbeat of the Academy: A Family Affair

Walk into a POPO FC training session, and you will witness a scene of pure, unadulterated passion. Coaches, trained in the club's own philosophy, work tirelessly side-by-side with their founder. They dedicate their body, mind, and soul ('tan, mann, dhan') to the boys.

For three hours every morning and evening, they don't just teach football; they mentor young men, sharing the intricate secrets and soul of the game.

The club’s commitment to its players goes beyond the pitch. Every year, trials are announced on social media, drawing the best talent from the four corners of the country.

The chosen few, aged between 16 and 23, are given a home. POPO FC covers all their expenses, accommodation, education, and food, so they can focus entirely on their dream.

This holistic, nurturing environment is the secret ingredient to the club’s success, a model of care and dedication that remains unmatched in Pakistan.

An Unmatched Legacy of Love and Labour

POPO Football Club is more than just a name; it is a movement. It is a testament to what can be achieved when one man’s passion ignites the dreams of many.

It is a story of Haris bin Haroon, the former lecturer who chose to invest in the future of Pakistan’s youth. His unique approach to preparing young talent for the world stage is an honor not just for him, but for the entire nation.

As the world watches the fruits of this labour unfold on international fields, one thing is clear: in the heart of Islamabad, a footballing revolution is being powered by love, dedication, and an unshakeable belief in the power of dreams.

All our love and support for POPO FC.