KEY POINTS
- Balochistan launches Pakistan’s first international football camp from Jan 26 to Feb 6.
- Camp is collaboration between Balochistan Govt and England’s Steven Gerrard Academy.
- Expert coaches from Steven Gerrard Academy are delivering professional, structured training.
- The inclusive camp features teams from North and South Balochistan and includes coaching for Balochistan Women’s Football Team.
QUETTA, Pakistan: Pakistan’s first international football training camp has begun in Balochistan’s capital Quetta, bringing global-standard coaching to local players.
The two-week camp, running from January 26 to February 6, is organised by the Balochistan government and DHA Quetta in partnership with the Steven Gerrard Academy from the UK, aiming to develop youth talent and promote inclusivity in the province.
The camp, which commenced on Monday, marks a significant step in promoting youth engagement, inclusivity, and international-standard sports infrastructure in the province.
The camp is being held under the auspices of the Government of Balochistan in collaboration with the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Quetta and is set to run until February 6.
The initiative represents a focused effort to elevate local football talent to global standards.
Elite coaching and structured training
A key highlight of the camp is its partnership with the prestigious Steven Gerrard Academy from the United Kingdom.
The academy, founded by English football legend and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, has dispatched six expert coaches to Quetta to conduct the training sessions.
In a statement on social media platform X, a DHA Quetta spokesperson outlined the camp’s approach: “Players will step into structured, game-relevant sessions where ability is assessed in real time through movement, decision-making, and execution.”
This methodology promises a professional and intensive training environment rarely available in the region.
⚽️🎯 PERFORMANCE WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST! 🎯⚽️
At the SGA International Football Training Camp in Quetta, players will step into structured, game-relevant sessions where ability is assessed in real time through movement, decision-making, and execution!
Every detail will be… pic.twitter.com/HzK4Pb7Yis
— DHA Quettaᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@quetta_dha) January 23, 2026
Promoting inclusivity and talent development
The camp is designed with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and broad-based talent development.
Participants include selected teams from both North and South Balochistan, ensuring representation from across the province.
Notably, the Balochistan Women’s Football Team will also receive dedicated coaching, underscoring the camp’s commitment to promoting the sport among all athletes.
There are also indications that a team from the Pakistan Army may join the training sessions, further broadening the camp’s reach and impact.
The primary goal is to polish the skills of young, avid football players and provide them with exposure to professional training systems.
New chapter for Balochistan football
Organisers and government officials view this camp as a transformative initiative for football in Quetta and Balochistan at large.
By introducing international coaching expertise and structured training regimens, the camp aims to nurture local talent and significantly raise the benchmark for the sport in the city.
The successful execution of this camp could pave the way for more high-profile sporting events in the province, showcasing Balochistan’s growing potential as a hub for athletic development and international sports collaboration.
