The first ever Pakistan Rugby League kit, specially designed by Bradford based sport wear manufacturers, Samsan Sports, was launched this afternoon at the Headingley Carnegie stadium.

A predominately white kit with shades of green around the sides purposely designed so that the brand partners stand out. Across the face of the jerseys bears the brand logo ‘The Pakistan Recovery Fund,’ whose patron is HRH Prince of Wales. The fund was set up in response to the ongoing humanitarian effort still required in Pakistan in wake of the 2010 floods.

The Prince of Wales’s Pakistan Recovery Fund is convened by The British Asian Trust.  A UK registered charity, and member of The Prince’s Charities group. Managed on behalf of the Prince of Wales by Knighton White, trusted providers of philanthropic campaigning around the world of which both logos are on the right shoulder of the jerseys.

Gavin-Peake Jones, Managing Partner, at Knighton White, commented, ‘We are delighted that the Pakistan Rugby League team is supporting the fund by displaying the logo on their team jerseys.  Ikram Butt and the British Asian Rugby Association have already been pivotal in raising vital funds for the campaign. The devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan is the worst in Pakistan’s history.’

‘In a country already gripped with socio-economic problems, the plight of the Pakistani people has worsened, as the devastation has destroying 1.7 million homes and affected nearly 20 million people. Many struggle to survive. Basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter are in short supply. In some areas, almost one quarter of children under five are malnourished. Chronic poverty, disease, and displacement threaten the region.’
‘With millions of acres of land ravaged, livestock dead, and infrastructure ruined, there is a pressing humanitarian need to support the long-term recovery of the country and to respond to the needs of individuals, families and communities. The situation is grave and the need for action is urgent. The Pakistan floods are a massive humanitarian issue and an urgent one.’
The Leeds Rugby Foundation and Leeds Metropolitan University have played a significant role in supporting the fund raising efforts for the Pakistan Recovery Fund and their logos are attached to the left shoulder of the kit.

Paul Rowson, Executive Chairman, of the Leeds Rugby Foundation commented,
 ‘We are really pleased to be able to support the Pakistan Recovery Fund and the Pakistan Rugby League team. The formation of the Pakistan Rugby League team will provide much needed positive role models for children and young people to aspire to in Pakistan and within our local communities in Leeds and its surrounding areas.

Pakistan will take on a British Amateur Rugby League select team (BARLA) in Dubai at the World Famous, Sport City stadium, on the 29th November, 4.30pm Kick Off.

Leeds Rugby Foundation’s, Connecting Communities Manager, Ikram Butt and one of the founding members of the Pakistan Rugby League team, added, ‘This event would not have been possible without the tremendous support of a number of key partners. The event in Dubai provides us with a platform to further develop our great game of rugby league and at the same time remind people of continued necessity to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts in Pakistan

Chairman of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, Spen Alison added ‘BARLA are once again at the fore front of developing rugby league globally and we are delighted to be associated to such a worthy cause.’


Ikram, the founder of BARA, manages Connecting Communities, Leeds Rugby Foundation’s biggest project to date, and was recently awarded a Doctorate in Sport Science by Leeds Metropolitan University for his pioneering sport development initiatives within the UK and abroad.