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FOOTBALL - FIFA News 09 Jun, 2025

PSB Lauds FIFA’s Invitation to newly for Schools’ Initiative

Islamabad(PR): The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has welcomed FIFA’s exclusive invitation to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to join the ‘Football for Schools’ (F4S) programme, calling it a timely and positive development in the country’s football journey.According to the PSB, the recent completion of elections and formal reconstitution of the PFF marks a new beginning for football in Pakistan. FIFA’s invitation is being seen as a golden opportunity to promote football at the grassroots level, particularly among school-aged children. If Pakistan confirms its participation, FIFA will provide 164,940 footballs for children aged 4 to 14 across primary and secondary schools, along with a one-time grant of USD 50,000 to help launch the initiative effectively.A PSB spokesperson stated that his is a step in the right direction. With the reorganisation of the Football Federation now complete, we have a real chance to revive sports at the school level, promote healthy activities, and connect our youth with the spirit of the game.”As part of the initiative, schools and educators will gain access to a dedicated Football for Schools mobile application featuring training content and instructional guidance. In addition, FIFA will send a team of experts to conduct capacity-building workshops—either online or on-ground—to enhance the skills of physical education instructors in Pakistan.The Pakistan Sports Board reaffirmed its full support for the initiative and expressed hope that the Pakistan Football Federation will seize this international opportunity to lay the foundation for a brighter future for football in the country—starting from the schools.

FOOTBALL - Int News 09 Jun, 2025

Pakistan will fight to win against Myanmar: Stephen Constantine

Yangon(SBR): The head coach of the Pakistan Men’s National Football Team, Stephen Constantine, addressed the media in a pre-match press conference today, ahead of Pakistan’s crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Myanmar.Opening his remarks, Constantine expressed gratitude to the hosts, stating: "Firstly, thank you very much to the Myanmar Football Association for the hospitality."He acknowledged the tough challenge ahead but maintained confidence in his players' efforts and attitude. "I think for us it will be a very difficult game. For Pakistan, all of the games are difficult. I think everyone knows our situation, but we have a good group of players. They have worked hard over the last few days and we will come here to try to win the game."The coach highlighted the team's focus and adaptability in preparation for the match. "We come here to play football. I think the boys have adapted well to the training. We just have to get on with it. Every single game you play for Pakistan is important – even friendlies."Reflecting on the previous fixture against Syria, Constantine shared: "We prepared, we played with Syria in the last game. We lost 2-0, but I think we played quite well."Responding to a question he said: "Myanmar won their last game, so of course they're playing at home, they will be favourites for this game. But we will fight like we do in every game and we will try to get the result that we want, which is to win. We didn't come here to lose."Pakistan will face Myanmar tomorrow in Yangon in their second Group E fixture of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The match will take place at the Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, with kickoff scheduled for 03:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

FOOTBALL - National 04 Jun, 2025

PFF Vice Presidents pledge unity and growth under new leadership

Lahore(PR):The Vice Presidents of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) — Hafiz Zakaullah, Naveed Aslam Lodhi and Dr. Mohammad Ali — have reaffirmed their joint commitment to transparency, national reconciliation, and the inclusive development of football in Pakistan under the leadership of newly elected President Mohsen Gilani.Sharing his views, Hafiz Zakaullah emphasised that the Federation is focused on bringing together all stakeholders, players, coaches, technical experts, and the wider football community to move the game forward.“Under President Mohsen Gilani, we aim to unify and uplift Pakistan’s football landscape. National reconciliation is a core principle in our roadmap.”Naveed Aslam Lodhi praised the Normalisation Committee for completing the electoral process, adding: “Now that elections at both provincial and national levels are complete, our focus shifts to rebuilding the game. InshaAllah, we will work together to recover the momentum lost over the past decade.”Dr. Mohammad Ali called for equal provincial representation and greater grassroots inclusion: “Pakistan football has stood still since 2015. It’s time to revive it by ensuring opportunities for all provinces. The success of Balochistan — with three Executive Committee and three Congress members — reflects the power of genuine representation.”He also credited the Pakistan Football Connect initiative by the Normalisation Committee for enabling true footballers to take part in the democratic process.

FOOTBALL - National 29 May, 2025

PFF President commits to collaborative football development in Pakistan

LAHORE (Sports Bulletin Report): On behalf of the newly elected Executive Committee, Syed Mohsen Gilani, President of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), reaffirmed his full commitment to the development and advancement of football across PakistanPresident Gilani emphasised the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, coordinated efforts, and leveraging the collective expertise of the elected leadership to elevate the standard of football nationwide. “Our mission is clear that is to create a sustainable football ecosystem rooted in professionalism, transparency, and grassroots empowerment,” he said. He also expressed deep appreciation for the role of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee, which completed its tenure with the successful conduct of fair and transparent elections. “We are committed to ensuring a smooth and responsible transition that builds upon the progress made during the Normalisation Committee’s term,” he noted. President Gilani highlighted the federation’s intent to work closely with government bodies, regional associations, clubs, and community stakeholders to promote unity and mutual trust in football governance. “The path forward lies in collaboration, with the government, the football community, and every passionate fan, to bring about a new era of growth, accountability, and opportunity in Pakistani football,” he added.The newly elected leadership of PFF aims to usher in a transformative phase marked by youth development programs, improved infrastructure, professional league and an inclusive approach to football at all levels.

FOOTBALL - Int News 04 Apr, 2025

SAFF holds Extraordinary Congress 2025 Sri Lanka

Sports Bulletin ReportColombo (Sri Lanka): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) delegation participated in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Extraordinary Congress 2025, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.A two-member PFF delegation, led by President Saud Azim Hashimi and Acting General Secretary Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, actively represented Pakistan in the high-level gathering. The event was presided over by Kazi Salahuddin, President of SAFF. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), attended the event as a special guest. During the congress, Purushottam Kattel, a former AFC official, was appointed as the new General Secretary of SAFF, marking a significant administrative development for the South Asian football. One of the key highlights of the event was a dedicated meeting between the PFF leadership and AFC President Shaikh Salman, accompanied by Vahid Kardany, Deputy General Secretary of the AFC, who played a crucial role in the recent PFF Congress settlement, ensuring alignment of the PFF Statutes with AFC and FIFA.During the discussion, the focus remained on the ongoing normalization process in Pakistan football and the upcoming PFF elections, both considered crucial milestones in revitalizing the country’s footballing landscape. PFF President and NC Chairman Saud Azim Hashimi briefed the AFC President on the progress of the PFF elections and outlined the steps ahead in the electoral process.Expressing optimism, Shaikh Salman shared his hopeful expectations for a new era of leadership to emerge from the upcoming PFF elections. He emphasised that strong, stable leadership is essential for the sport’s growth in Pakistan and pledged all-out AFC support to assist the country in its journey toward football development and excellence. The PFF delegation also held productive sideline discussions with leaders of other SAFF member nations, where they explored avenues for regional collaboration, joint ventures, and strategies to advance shared goals in South Asian football.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 04 Apr, 2025

Australia make impressive debut in FIFA Women’s Futsal World Rankings

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The first edition of the FIFA Futsal World Ranking for the year, which was published on Friday 4 April 2025, revealed some significant changes – in both tables – on the back of 183 women’s matches and 192 in the men’s game.In the Women’s Futsal Ranking, there was a notable rise in the number of matches played around the world, with 111 games already played in 2025 – nearly doubling the amount that took place during the same period a year earlier. Nevertheless, the first four positions remain the same as the previous update in October 2024 with Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Argentina leading the table in front of Thailand (5th, up 1) and Italy (6th, up 2). The biggest climbers are Morocco (47th, up 18), Norway (53rd, up 15), Czechia (45th, up 12), France (49th, up 11), and Slovakia (40th, up 10).Five new teams enter the fray, namely Australia (59th), the USA (73rd), England (76th), Senegal (78th), and India (79th). Australia remains undefeated after its first four official matches, all of which were FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025™ qualifiers, and thus makes its ranking debut in a considerably higher position than the other newcomers. March 2025 saw several teams secure qualification for the tournament, with Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain (UEFA) set to join Argentina, Brazil and Colombia (CONMEBOL) at its first edition kicking off in November.In the latest Men’s Futsal Ranking table, Brazil remain ahead of Portugal with a lead of more than 100 points. Spain (3rd, up 1) have overtaken Argentina (4th, down 1), while IR Iran (5th, up 1) and Morocco (6th, plus 1) have also risen at the cost of Kazakhstan (7th, down 2). Poland (19th, up 3) and Armenia (20th, up 11) both make their first appearance in the top 20.Apart from Armenia, there are several teams that have improved their positions by more than 10 ranks since last October, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina (36th, up 12), Andorra (55th, up 13), Latvia (60th, up 11), and Greece (88th, up 19). AFC hosted the most fixtures since the last rankings release, with Indonesia (21st, up 7) a notable riser.

FOOTBALL - Int News 02 Jan, 2025

RIYADH WELCOME: FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT FOR NEW AC MILAN MANAGER

Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): Sergio Conceicao wants to make an excellent first impression on fans in Riyadh for his opening match as AC Milan manager in the EA Sports FC Italian Supercup semi-final versus Juventus.The Portuguese, who replaced compatriot Paulo Fonseca in charge at the beginning of the week, is in the unique situation of spending his debut competing against son Francisco Conceicao, who plays as a winger for Juventus.However, speaking at the pre-match press conference for the semi-final at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh on Friday at 10pm, Conceicao says family feelings will stop for 90 minutes with full focus on reaching Monday’s final.Conceicao said: “We have a huge responsibility which is defending the colours of one of the most historical clubs in football. We have a strong fan base, not only here but also elsewhere globally and we will do our best to make our supporters happy and proud. We have to play aggressively against Juventus. Our goal is to penetrate Juventus’ defence as a complete team, not by relying on individual players. Having my son on the opposing team won’t affect me. My goal is clear: to win like I do in any other match. There is no place for feelings on the field. There are many Portuguese players and coaches here in Saudi. It’s a league that is growing a lot and quickly. We can literally feel the passion for football and the will to grow. Many important players are contributing to this evolution.”Motta said: “Thank you very much for the hospitality. We are in a very pleasant environment to do our job and give our best. We must be able to not let the change in AC Milan leadership influence us. We are ready for everything; we must be the main character. Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli added: “It has been great hospitality; we have been hosted in a very pleasant way. Juventus is supported around the world, and this motivates us to win. The Saudi league is developing, it has improved a lot. They invested very well, and it will grow even more internationally.”Maignan said: “It’s a very important game for us as players, management, and as a fan base. Me and my team-mates made a pact that moving forward we will do our best. We have high ambitions, will keep doing our best and need to be cautious and follow the coach’s instructions.”

FOOTBALL - Int News 31 Dec, 2024

Saudi Pro League outlines preparations for 2024/25 winter transfer window

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): Te Saudi Pro League (SPL) has announced its preparations for the upcoming 2024/25 winter transfer window, which will run from January 1 to January 30, 2025. These preparations highlight the league’s commitment to supporting clubs by facilitating player transfers, improving governance and planning, ensuring player welfare, and enhancing financial sustainability.The SPL held a series of intensive workshops with its member clubs to assess their specific needs and objectives for the winter transfer window. These workshops aim to provide tailored support to clubs, enabling them to continue achieving success on and off the pitch. This includes facilitating transfers between clubs within the league.During the 2024 summer transfer window, clubs utilised 16 of the 36 available slots for foreign players under the age of 21. Thirteen clubs signed at least one U21 foreign player, while five clubs did not make any signings in this category. The remaining slots provide opportunities for further reinforcements during the winter window.Additionally, all 18 clubs reached the maximum allowance of eight foreign players over the age of 21 per squad by the end of the summer transfer window. Consequently, new signings in this category during the winter window will require clubs to terminate contracts, sell players, or deregister squad members. The SPL will work closely with clubs and the Financial Sustainability Committee to ensure compliance with league policies and regulations.Key outcomes from the 2024/25 summer transfer window include:Average player age decrease: The average player age in the league dropped from 27.6 years to 26.2 years, reflecting a focus on younger talent acquisition.Player movements: A total of 115 domestic players were registered, while 132 departed due to end of contracts, sales, or contract terminations. Meanwhile, 101 foreign players joined the league, and 32 foreign players departed due to end of contracts, sales, or contract terminations.The SPL reiterated that it remains dedicated to fostering transparency and collaboration with clubs while continuing to enhance the league’s competitiveness and organizational excellence.As part of its transformation strategy, the SPL aims to position the Saudi Pro League among the world’s leading football leagues. This strategy focuses on five main pillars:• Developing & attracting elite talent• Build genuine connections with fans and communities• Elevate all clubs• Expand reach and revenue• Drive economic and societal impact

FOOTBALL - Int News 29 Dec, 2024

Gerry's Diplomatic Football League Season-8 starts in Islamabad

Islamabad (PR): Gerry's Diplomatic Football League Season-8 kicked off with a series of exciting matches in the capital city Islamabad. The Season 8 of the Gerry's Diplomatic Football League is marking a vibrant start with some thrilling matches.A total of 18 teams are competing in the league, divided into two groups, battling through the league stage to secure spots in the knockout rounds. In Group B, MOFA, Big Bird, and Central Asia United are leading the pack with six points each, showcasing strong early performances.Meanwhile, in Group A, Trio Homes and Nigeriaare setting the pace as group leaders.The league has attracted the diplomatic community in Islamabad where more than 25 different nationalities are participating, with approximately 280 players contributing to the international camaraderie and competitive spirit.Event is being hosted at Iqra University, the official venue partner for the tournament. The event will culminate in a grand final at the end of February next year 2025. The league is proudly title-sponsored by Gerry's and powered by RBS, with additional sponsorship from Trio Homes, Jupi Media and Tours, Joma, and Alamco Duty-Free.The event is organized by its founder, Mubasher Sanjrani, CEO of Sanjrani Oxen Enterprises, who is also participating in the league as a representative of Joma United. The league continues to be a platform for fostering international relations, sportsmanship, and community engagement.The Diplomatic Football League has undoubtedly established itself as one of the most renowned and highly anticipated events among diplomats in Pakistan. Its growing popularity not only highlights the enthusiasm for sports within the diplomatic community but also serves as a testament to the friendly and peaceful image of Pakistan.The Diplomatic league fosters unity, mutual respect, and cultural exchange, showcasing Pakistan as a welcoming host and a hub for international camaraderie. Events like these underline the country's commitment to diplomacy through sports and strengthen its position as a promoter of global peace and cooperation.

FOOTBALL - Int News 07 Dec, 2024

FIFA Women's International Friendly: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Draw 1-1

Sports Bulletin ReportDoha (Qatar): Pakistan and Saudi Arabia played out a 1-1 draw in a thrilling FIFA Women's International Friendly match held in Aspire Academy, Doha, Qatar. The match saw both teams put up a strong fight, with Saudi Arabia taking the lead in the first half before Pakistan responded late to level the score. Saudi Arabia had the upper hand at halftime, leading 1-0. The breakthrough for the Saudi team came in the 39th minute when Talah Alghamdi found the back of the net, giving her side a crucial lead going into the break. However, Pakistan made a spirited comeback in the second half. In the 88th minute, Pakistan's Sohai Herani delivered a stunning equalizer off a well-executed corner kick. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams sharing the spoils after an intense encounter.