Swindon Town Football Club Academy Coach Alex Pike has just completed a successful week in Karachi, Pakistan.
As part of Town's growing partnership with Karachi FC, Alex flew out to Karachi last weekend in order to spend a week’s coaching.
It has been a brilliant week for Alex who has been working hard laying on coaching sessions for both players and coaches, in addition to holding trials for Karachi's best young footballing talent.
It has also been a week in which the bond between Swindon Town and Karachi FC, and indeed the people of Karachi, has been strengthened considerably.
Speaking to swindontownfc.co.uk at the end of his trip, Alex said: "This has been a fantastic week and a really life-altering experience for me.
"Firstly, I must thank the Commissioner of Karachi, Muhammad Iqbal Memon, for his incredible hospitality throughout the week, his warm welcome and for all the help and the support he has given me. This trip would not have been possible without him, and I look forward to working with the Commissioner again on my next trip out.
"I've been blown away by the outstanding level of talent on display in both Karachi and in Pakistan, and it is clear that this is a footballing hotbed full of undiscovered gems.
"Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon helped to put on a fantastic show throughout the week and the infrastructure here is really impressive.
"There is no doubt that the future of football in Karachi and in Pakistan is incredibly bright, and I am already looking forward to my next trip out.
"There's so much talent waiting to be discovered in Karachi and, based on what I saw this week, I think it is very likely Swindon could have a Karachi-born player represent the club in the future.
"My thanks again to Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon for his fantastic hospitality and support this week - it is one I will always remember."
