Kareem Kerai Academy (KKA), a professional football institution established in 2022 to nurture young athletes, reached a remarkable milestone by capturing the bronze medal in the Under-16 category at the prestigious 15th Singa Cup 2025 in Singapore.
Representing Pakistan for the first time, KKA was one of two national teams competing against elite youth sides from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The academy secured third place after a nail-biting 3rd-place playoff, edging past Indonesia’s Tapteng Sibolga Student Football Team 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
Placed in Group A, KKA rebounded strongly from an opening defeat against Indonesian club Semen Padang FC. The team dominated the remainder of their group matches with standout performances, including a stunning 12-0 triumph over Bhaichung Bhutia Football School (India) and a crucial 2-1 win versus Ocean Reef (Australia).
Their knockout stage campaign featured a convincing 2-0 victory over Jurongville Secondary (Singapore) in the Quarter-Finals, before narrowly falling to eventual champions Benjamarachanusorn (Thailand) in the Semi-Finals.
Highlighting individual brilliance, KKA’s prolific forward Muhammad Abdullah Iram finished as the Joint Top Scorer of the U16 tournament, netting an impressive 7 goals.
This year’s tournament marked a milestone for Pakistani youth football — the second national representative, Lyari Football Academy, finished Runner-Up, losing a close 1-2 contest in the U16 final to the Thai champions. The combined 2nd and 3rd place finishes proudly showcased Pakistan’s growing footprint on the international youth football scene.
“This bronze medal reflects our players’ hard work and the academy’s mission to provide world-class exposure and development opportunities for Karachi’s young footballers,” said Kareem, Founder of Kareem Kerai Academy.
KKA’s success stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring footballers across Pakistan — emphasizing the crucial role of private academies in shaping the next generation of sporting talent.
