PFF president reaffirms commitment towards developing football in Pakistan
Pakistan to take part in FIFA, UEFA events for the first time: Syed Mohsen Gilani
Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gilani said he was hopeful of steering the federation away from years of crisis and boosting the sport in the country.
The PFF president was speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Monday, a day after the conclusion of the National Challenge Cup.
“Since I took over, the aim has been to put better systems in place that ensure the growth of football in the country,” Mr. Gilani said.
The PFF chief stressed that he became the first elected president after the federation had spent several years under the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee.
Mr. Gilani highlighted several key moves by the PFF since his election, notably the men’s national team’s maiden participation in the AFC Futsal Championship qualifiers, the upcoming FIFA Series — where the national women’s team will feature — as well as the Under-16 team’s upcoming tour of Kazakhstan where they play in a UEFA development tournament.
“The aim is to offer maximum exposure for our teams,” the PFF president stressed, adding that work continues on arranging international friendlies for the men’s national team as well.
“It is a landmark achievement for the PFF that the national women’s team will take part in a FIFA event when it faces teams like Turks and Caicos Islands, Mauritania and Ivory Coast in April during the FIFA series.
“The PFF will also be participating for the first time in a UEFA event when our Under-16 team takes part in the development tournament in Kazakhstan.”
The PFF president stressed that plans were afoot to launch the domestic league, whilst talks with the government are ongoing for the restoration of departmental teams.
“The Challenge Cup was the first step in resumption of domestic activities in the country and it reached a successful completion yesterday with WAPDA being crowned champions.
“We are engaged in talks with the government to push for the restoration of more departmental teams.
“As far as the league project is concerned, we have seen huge interest and there are some companies we have shortlisted as potential partners.”
The PFF president stressed that investment in football will lead to improved infrastructure.
“The launch of the league will bring revenue to the PFF,” said Mr. Gilani, adding that it will address funding issues for the PFF.
“We have always been reliant on funding from FIFA and the AFC to run our affairs but I believe it’s time we change that.
“We need to have more sources of funding and naturally that will trickle down to better infrastructure development in the country.”
Mr. Gilani also informed the media about the PFF’s initiatives to develop football on grassroots level, including the launch of the PFF Inter-School Championship as well as the installation of FIFA’s mini-pitches in districts. “Those are projects that will ensure we have activity down to the grassroots level.”
