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FOOTBALL - FIFA News 22 Sep, 2020

GWC announced as Regional Supporter and Official Logistics Provider for FIFA World Cup 2022

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (September 22, 2020):-Qatar-based GWC (Q.P.S.C.), a leader in supply chain solutions including warehousing, freight forwarding, commercial, fine art, and event logistics services, was announced as the first Regional Supporter and Official Logistics Provider for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As such, GWC will be the key operational supplier of logistics solutions for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 GWC, which was the National Supporter and Official Logistics Provider for the FIFA Club World Cup 2019™, will build on this experience and draw on its robust network of contacts throughout the world to deliver logistics and supply chain services for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Speaking about the announcement, FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer Simon Thomas said: “Logistics are critical to an event as large and complex as the FIFA World Cup, so having GWC on board as a Regional Supporter and the Official Logistics Provider for the tournament will provide FIFA and its Commercial Affiliates with crucial support and expertise in logistics and supply chain management, which will ensure a smooth and efficient delivery of the competition.” GWC Chairman Sh. Abdulla bin Fahad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al-Thani said: “Today marks a landmark achievement in the history of GWC as we are entrusted to deliver the logistical requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2022, and today we become a trusted player in the journey towards 2022, proudly doing our part in actualising another milestone of Qatar’s vision. We enter this agreement with confidence that we will showcase the world-class sporting and logistics infrastructure that Qatar has developed over the years, while embodying the values of sportsmanship and encouraging active engagement of football enthusiasts and wider audiences.” GWC has a logistical infrastructure covering more than three million square metres, including the largest privately owned logistics hub in the region, along with a team of dedicated and innovative specialists and state-of-the-art IT systems. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will take place from 21 November until 18 December in eight stadiums around Qatar – three of which are already fully operational, with two more scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 28 Aug, 2020

PFF to conduct 'C' License Coaching Courses in Karachi and Lahore

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (August 28, 2020):-Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) will conduct the PFF 'C' License Coaching Course from Sunday, September 6, 2020, in Karachi and Lahore. This will be the first 'C' License coaching course conducted in the country in the last five years. The course will help 25 aspiring candidates from each of the two cities who'll be admitted to first come and first serve basis to pursue their football coaching dream. A minimum of 50 per cent of the total course slots will be reserved for female applicants. In case that those seats are not covered, they will be available for the applicants that could be in the waiting list. Theory part will be conducted through Zoom online application from September 6 to 13 while practical work will be held from September 17 to 20 in Lahore and from September 24 to 27 in Karachi. "We are thrilled to launch these two coaching courses after a long time. To enhance the knowledge of coaches is a must for us right now. We will be sharing with the aspiring coaches the right amount of the right information at the right time," National Technical Director Daniel Limones said. PFF General Secretary Manizeh Zainli echoed Limones' thoughts mentioning how important coaching courses are to ensure a healthy football ecosystem. "It's a big step in the right direction for the PFF to conduct the first 'C' License Course in five years and it resonates with our aim to regulate the sport in pakistan. Increasing the number of qualified coaches in the country is the most basic need” said Zainli. PFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Humza Khan said: "Coach Education is key to ensure that the sport is headed towards betterment. And the PFF is determined to help current and aspiring coaches improve their knowledge and skills which is in turn going to benefit the sport in the country."

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 17 Jul, 2020

FIFA World Cup 2022: Match schedule confirmed

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (July 17, 2020):-The iconic image of FIFA World Cup™ champions France lifting the trophy at Luzhniki Stadium is still fresh in the memory of every football fan. Exactly two years after that historic occasion on 15 July 2018, the unveiling of the match schedule for the next edition invites the football world to dream of a new beginning – one that, now, has a precise time and place to start. Al Bayt Stadium, a 60,000-capacity arena that takes its name and shape from the traditional tents used by nomadic peoples in the Gulf region, will be the stage for hosts Qatar to kick off the tournament on Monday, 21 November 2022 at 13:00 local time* (11:00 CET). The local kick-off times for group matches have been set for 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 and 22:00, with the simultaneous kick-offs for the last round of group games and knockout-stage timings being 18:00 and 22:00. Khalifa International Stadium will be the setting for the play-off for third place on 17 December. The final will kick off one day later at 18:00 at Lusail Stadium in front of an 80,000 crowd. With the aim of providing all teams with optimal rest between their matches, the group stage will last 12 days and, with four matches per day, it promises a full and exciting schedule for fans. The tournament’s compact nature – with no air travel needed to move between the venues – will allow organisers, for the first time, to optimise specific match demands for the benefit and comfort of fans, teams and media. This will be achieved through the assignment of the group fixtures for each matchday to a stadium and kick-off time only after the final draw, currently planned for after the March 2022 international match calendar qualifying window. Once the pairings are known, the possibility will be discussed of providing a more beneficial kick-off time for audiences at home, or indeed for fans in Qatar with regard to the stadium allocation. That additional flexibility is possible without affecting any technical aspects since all stadiums are located within a compact radius and the climate is perfect at that time of year in Qatar, whether it is an early or a late kick-off. On top of that, this will potentially give fans the opportunity to attend more than one match a day during the group stage. For those eager to book their seats at Qatar 2022, hospitality sales are scheduled to start in late 2020. Ticket sales for the general public will be conducted solely via FIFA.com/tickets, where details on the timeline, phases, categories and prices will be communicated in due course.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 08 Jul, 2020

PFF appoints Daniel Limones as Technical Director

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (July 8, 2020):-The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee has appointed Daniel Limones from Spain as the technical director. Limones was previously associated with Spanish La Liga giants Club Atletico de Madrid and was working with the club's academy in Lahore as head coach and academy manager simultaneously. He also worked with other Spanish clubs including Rayo Vallecano. As PFF's Technical Director, Limones will design and execute strategies which would lead to the development of football in Pakistan. PFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Humza Khan said that the appointment was a step in the right direction by the PFF. "We're excited to have Limones aboard. We fully believe his addition to the setup will help Pakistan football to flourish, “he added. Limones said that there was massive potential for football in Pakistan to grow. "The opportunities and possibilities are innumerable, since football in Pakistan start. Players, coaches, clubs and the federation can be shaped in future for the new generations, working together under the banner of PFF, “he concluded.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 22 Mar, 2020

Lorenzo Sanz: Former Real Madrid president dies after contracting coronavirus

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD (March 22, 2020):-Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday after being taken to hospital with coronavirus. Sanz, 76, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000, a period in which Real won the Champions League twice. "My father has just died," wrote Sanz's son Lorenzo Sanz Duran on Twitter. "He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion." Sanz signed players such as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker during his time in charge of the 33-time Spanish champions. He lost the 2000 presidential election to Florentino Perez, which sparked Real's big-spending 'Galatico' era. Sanz's son Fernando, 46, played for Real Madrid from 1996-1999 before spending the final seven years of his career at Malaga.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 26 Dec, 2019

Costa Rica and Panama to host FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2020

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD:-FIFA inspection visited to Costa Rica and Panama as well as further discussions with the two relevant member associations, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has confirmed that the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup 2020 will be played in August in Costa Rica and Panama. The 16 participating teams will be divided into four groups of four with the best two of each group advancing to the quarter finals. This will be the first ever co-hosting of a FIFA youth tournament and the second co-hosting of a FIFA tournament since the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™. The number of stadiums to be used for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica and Panama 2020 will be discussed and confirmed with the two member associations. Details on the tournament’s timeframe and match schedule will follow. “We would like to thank the Costa Rican and the Panamanian football associations for their commitment towards women’s football and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in particular. We are looking forward to a fantastic competition in August”, says FIFA’s Chief Tournaments and Events Officer Colin Smith. “After the highly successful FIFA Women’s World Cup in France this year, it is important that we build on the momentum at all levels of the game. The U20WWC in Costa Rica and Panama next year is a perfect opportunity for us to continue driving the popularity of the game and with it being the first jointly hosted tournament – we can make the impact even greater”, says Sarai Bareman, Chief Women’s Football Officer.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 13 Dec, 2019

Bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

Bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Sports Desk ISLAMABAD:-The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ bidding process, which has seen an unprecedented interest from member associations, has reached an important milestone, with the following four bids having been submitted by the deadline of 13 December 2019: Joint submission by the Football Federation Australia and New Zealand Football Submission by the Brazilian Football Association Submission by the Colombian Football Association Submission by the Japan Football Association All of the bid books, along with their respective executive summaries, are available on FIFA.com. FIFA will now implement an assessment process, including inspection visits to the member associations which are expected to take place across January and February 2020. Once finalised, the evaluation report will be published on FIFA.com and all eligible bids will be presented to the FIFA Council, which is set to select the host(s) of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 at its meeting in Addis Ababa in June 2020. Following on from the astounding success of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in France and the subsequent unanimous decision by the FIFA Council, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will be the first edition of the women’s showpiece to feature 32 teams. “France 2019 was certainly a watershed moment for women’s football, and now it is FIFA’s responsibility to take concrete measures to keep fostering the game’s incredible growth. With the FIFA Women’s World Cup generating an unprecedented interest across member associations, we are ensuring that the process to select the hosts is seamless, objective, ethical and transparent. By the time the FIFA Council announces the hosts, there should be no doubt whatsoever as to why that choice was made,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 08 Dec, 2019

National Women’s Football Championship, Army stun KPK 22-0

National Women’s Football Championship, Army stun KPK 22-0 By Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Army stunned Khyber Pakhtun Kawa (KPK) 22-0 in the National Women’s Football Championship 2019 at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Saturday. Hawks got walkover against Frontier College Peshawar, as the visitor team could not reach in the arena in time. Malika Noor was the top scorer for the winners, who sent the ball nine times in the net. Aliza scored five goals while Sobia and Aline three each for Pakistan Army. Ramein scored two goals. It is important to mention here that this tournament is being played under the control of Army Sports Directorate.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 06 Dec, 2019

Gilgit Baltistan qualify for National Women’s Football Championship 2019

Gilgit Baltistan qualify for National Women’s Football Championship 2019 Abdullah Asjad Islamabad ISLAMABAD:-The Gilgit Baltistan women’s football team qualified for the final round of the National Women’s Football Championship 2019 after finishing 1-1 draw against Young Rising Football Club Rawalpindi here at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday. Earlier, they had defeated hosts Islamabad 3-0 at same venue. On Friday, the important fixture of the qualifying round, Young Rising Stars Club and Gilgit teams displayed excellent skill of the game. In the first half, Shahzadi scored the first goal for Gilgit in 34th minutes of the match and led her team 1-0. Later on, in the second half Farah equalized the match after netting the ball in the 60th minutes of the match. The match ended in draw 1-1. Both teams were awarded each one point. Gilgit qualified the National Women’s Football Championship 2019 from Islamabad region. The tournament is being played under the control of Army Sports Directorate.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 29 Nov, 2019

Russia cleared to compete at Euro 2020 despite threat of four-year sports ban

Russia cleared to compete at Euro 2020 despite threat of four-year sports ban Sport Desk ISLAMABAD:-Russia will be able to compete in Euro 2020 next summer even if a four-year ban from sporting events comes into effect. Investigators from the World Anti-Doping Agency found inconsistencies in laboratory data obtained from the Russian anti-doping agency in January and WADA's independent compliance review committee is recommending Russia be barred from hosting and competing in major international events for four years. However, it is understood that next summer's football European Championship, which Russia have qualified for and where St Petersburg will serve as one of 12 host cities, will not be affected even if WADA's executive committee and the Court of Arbitration back the proposed sanctions.

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