Football - National
FOOTBALL - National 22 May, 2026
Islamabad (faisal): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of women’s football as PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani declared that “every year will be the year of women’s football in Pakistan” during the first-ever PFF Women’s Football Symposium held in Islamabad.Bringing together stakeholders from the football and development sectors, the symposium served as a platform to exchange ideas on strengthening the women’s game in Pakistan while outlining a strategic roadmap for future growth under the leadership of the newly-elected PFF administration.Gilani highlighted the recent rise of Pakistan women’s football on the international stage, saying it was encouraging to hear Pakistan women’s football being “the talk of the town” during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver last month. He credited the Pakistan Sports Board for its support and stressed that the women’s game must go beyond the national team.“Women’s football cannot only be about the national team; it is also about the ecosystem — players, coaches, referees and fans. It’s not about glam and gloss, there has to be substance,” he said, while also emphasising that women should lead women’s football structures.Chief Guest Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto (Member of National Assembly) congratulated the federation on the women national team’s FIFA Series campaign, participation in the SAFF Futsal Championship and AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, noting that Pakistani women continue to break barriers when given opportunities.Secretary IPC and Pakistan Sports Board Director General Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani announced plans for a national schoolgirls football tournament and pledged institutional support in logistics, grounds and equipment.FIFA Head of Development Ariana Demirovic praised Pakistan’s growing presence in international women’s football and reiterated FIFA’s willingness to support long-term development initiatives.The symposium also featured contributions from representatives of Right To Play, UN Women, media, coaches and former players, with discussions centred on access, safe playing spaces, grassroots structures, trained female coaches and school football programmes.PFF Head of Women’s Football Mejzgaan Orakzai presented the federation’s strategic vision for women’s football development, while PFF COO Shahid Khokhar reiterated the federation’s unwavering commitment to building sustainable pathways for women in football.
FOOTBALL - National 15 Apr, 2026
Islamabad (Sports News): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and Beaconhouse School System today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising a strategic partnership to develop structured football pathways at the school level and promote the sport among young players across Pakistan.The MoU was signed by PFF President Mohsen Gilani and Beaconhouse School System Chief Executive Officer Kasim Kasuri at a ceremony held at Football House in Lahore.Under the agreement, both organisations will collaborate to build a comprehensive grassroots ecosystem, focusing on structured player pathways, talent identification, coaching education, and competitive opportunities for students. The partnership will introduce inter-school football and futsal competitions across multiple age groups, alongside training camps, boot camps, and skill development programmes for both boys and girls.A key pillar of the collaboration is capacity building, with PFF set to deliver certification programmes for coaches, referees, and physical education teachers, as well as specialised training in fitness, performance, and team management. The initiative will also support the establishment of football academies at selected Beaconhouse campuses and provide technical guidance for infrastructure development.Talent identification will be conducted through leagues, camps, and evaluation programmes, with outstanding players recommended for advanced development pathways and scholarship opportunities at youth levels. The partnership will also emphasise values-based engagement, including leadership, resilience, wellbeing, and fair play.Speaking at the signing ceremony, Beaconhouse CEO Mr Kasuri said that Beaconhouse School System would stand shoulder to shoulder with the PFF at the school level and across youth football activities. He reaffirmed the institution’s full support to the federation, adding that Beaconhouse stands ready to contribute to international-level cooperation where required.“I believe football will be more popular in the coming years, and we are excited to sign this MoU that will help develop football coaches and players across all our campuses in the country,” said Mr Kasuri. “I am specially excited by the Football for Mental Health component of this partnership and I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.” PFF President Mohsin Gilani thanked the Beaconhouse CEO for the commitment, describing the partnership as a significant step in embedding football into Pakistan’s educational fabric and building a sustainable domestic talent pipeline.The two leaders exchanged gifts to mark the occasion, with President Gilani presenting Mr Kasuri with the official Pakistan national team shirt.As one of Pakistan’s largest private school networks, Beaconhouse brings extensive institutional reach across dozens of cities and hundreds of campuses, providing the PFF with structured access to young players at a formative stage of development. The partnership is expected to significantly strengthen grassroots systems and contribute to a more cohesive national football ecosystem.
FOOTBALL - National 04 Apr, 2026
Islamabad (Sports News): The Pakistan National Women’s team is set to make history when it participates in the FIFA Series in Cote d’Ivoire from April 9 to 16.In what marks the first appearance by the national team in a FIFA event, Pakistan open their campaign against the Turks & Caicos Islands on April 9 before facing Mauritania on April 12.Under head coach Adeel Rizki, Pakistan will end their campaign with a match against hosts Cote d’Ivoire on April 16. The team departs for Cote d’Ivoire on Monday with excitement building amongst the team ahead of the FIFA Series.“I want to say a big thank you from our team to PFF President Mohsen Gilani for organising the team’s participation at the FIFA Series,” said forward Nadia Khan. “It is one thing just saying different things but actually executing it and following through is something different and it's truly amazing that we can play at this level and get exposure like this.”Goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj was also looking forward to the FIFA Series with the team’s training camp culminating in Lahore on Sunday.“FIFA specifically picking us to compete in the FIFA series I think is really really big for us,” Zeeyana said. “With us it's always really difficult because we don't really get much time together as a team and so this time it's been really nice to be able to get a few weeks of training before we go and play in the Ivory Coast and hopefully that can allow us as a team to gel to be able to perform.”Midfielder Sanah Mehdi asked the fans to get behind the team and support them in their bid for glory.“We're all really looking forward to the support and please get behind us and watch our games,” Sanah said. “It means a lot to us and it's what drives us forward.”Squad: Goalkeepers: Zeeyana Jivraj, Nisha Ashraf, Arzoo Hazara; Defenders: Isra Khan, Anaya Ahmad, Anmol Hira, Kayla Siddiqui, Karissa Jivraj, Alia Sadiq, Maria Khan, Nizalia Siddiqi; Midfielders: Suha Hirani, Rameen Fareed, Layla Banaras, Sanah Mehdi, Zehmena Malik; Forwards: Mariam Mahmood, Aqsa Mushtaq, Aiman Altaf, Nadia Khan, Maryam Zehri, Azwa Chaudhry.
FOOTBALL - National 13 Feb, 2026
Islamabad (Sports Report):Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Wapda will clash in the National Challenge Cup final on Sunday after both registered 4-0 victories in their last-four clashes at the KPT Stadium on Friday.KRL cruised into the final in style with their thrashing of Army highlighted by sensational strikes from Ali Zafar and Zaid Umer.Ali Raza was involved in three goals as Wapda eased past SA Gardens in a repeat of the final of the last edition of the tournament.KRL 4-0 ArmyKRL dominated possession from the start and took the lead in the 26th thanks to a long-range stunner. Ali Zafar got the ball close to the right and then let fly with a rising shot that dipped just at the right time to leave Army goalkeeper Mohammad Faheem well beaten.Another stunning goal, this time by Zaid Umer, doubled KRL’s lead in the 47th. KRL won a free-kick on the right and Zaid found the sweetest of connections with his left-foot; the ball curling over the wall and into the bottom corner.Army were up against it and it soon got worse when Hazrat Abbas was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by pulling at the shirt of his opponent.The contest was good as over and KRL sent out a statement by scoring twice late on.Ali Agha tapped in a cross from the left to make it 3-0 in the 70th minute before Sameer Abbas pounced on a rebound off his own shot to complete the rout in the 83rd.“It’s a great win for us,” said Zaid. “We were facing a difficult opponent but we showed our strength today. We hope to do the same in the final.” Wapda 4-0 SA GardensAli Raza starred as Wapda followed KRL into the final with a commanding display against SA Gardens.The striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute when he ran on to a delightful reverse by Fareedullah and found the back of the net with the outside of his right foot.Wapda got their second in the 36th with Ali again involved. Drifting in from the right, he fired a low shot that was deflected in by Mohibullah.SA Gardens were up against it and the were 3-0 down in the 53rd when Ali scored from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. Wapda completed the scoring in the 90th, when Hammad Hassan tucked in a rebound.“Really delighted with the performance,” said Ali. “We imposed ourselves from the start and once we got the first goal, it got easier for us. We’re looking ahead to doing more of the same in the final.”
FOOTBALL - National 11 Feb, 2026
Islamabad (Sports Report): The semi-final line-up at the National Challenge Cup was completed on Wednesday with Army and SA Gardens advancing in contrasting fashion. Mohammad Rafay bagged a brace as Army crushed Nimso 4-0 in their quarter-final while defender Umar Javed starred as SA Gardens overcame International Supply Company 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.Army 4-0 NimsoArmy were rampant from the start and took the lead in stunning fashion when Rafay struck a delightful first-time shot that curled into the far corner in the 13th minute.“I had my eyes on the goal when the ball was coming to me,” said Rafay. “Thankfully the execution was good.”Nimso were struggling to find space with Army’s press and they were 3-0 down by the 26th after Mansoor Ali and Rafay scored in the space of two minutes.First Mansoor latched onto a through ball and dinked it past the keeper before Rafay turned in a shot by Mohammad Afzal.Army continued in the same vein but had to wait till the 85th when Noor Saba netted and they advance to a semi-final against Khan Research Laboratories.SA Gardens 1-1 International Supply Company (SA Gardens won 4-2 on penalties)SA Gardens broke the deadlock in a closely-fought clash when they were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute with Umar Javed sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.International Supply Company hit back in the 73rd when a breakaway saw Salman Umer slot from under the legs of a defender.After extra-time yielded no further goals, Umar stole the spotlight in the shootout; the defender taking the gloves to tip a penalty by Salman onto the bar and then scoring himself to help his side into a semi-final against Wapda in what is a repeat of the title match at the last edition of the tournament.“It was a tough game and we have another tough one comping up,” said Umar. “We will look to build on this.”
FOOTBALL - National 10 Feb, 2026
Islamabad (Sports Report): Khan Research Laboratories(KRL) and Pakistan Wapda reached the semi-finals of the National Challenge Cup with commanding victories at the KPT Stadium on Tuesday.Two superb strikes saw KRL down Mamsons 2-0 in a feisty last-eight clash where both teams went down to 10 men in the first half.Wapda, meanwhile, eased past Pakistan Air Force 3-0 with all their goals coming in the first half.KRL 2-0 MamsonsThe keenly-fought start led to flaring tempers with both sides reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute when Mamsons goalkeeper Usman Khan and KRL forward Mohammad Waheed being sent off for an altercation.KRL broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion in the 41st when Najeebullah received the ball on the left and then cut inside, past two Mamsons players before launching a right-foot rocket that went in off the crossbar.“After we went down to 10 men, the aim was to score as soon as possible,” said Najeebullah. “When I saw the space in front of me, I instinctively took a shot and thankfully it was a great goal.”Mamsons tried to level the match, creating a few chances, but it was KRL who scored with Moin Ahmed sealing the result in the 79th with another stunning goal from outside the box.Receiving the ball from the right and facing the goal, Moin took a touch and steadied himself before launching an unstoppable strike into the top corner.KRL will play the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Pakistan Army and Nimso.Wapda 3-0 PAFPAF’s goal had lived a charmed life with Wapda pressing from the start and the opening goal in the fifth minute came after a shot and a header came off the bar with Mohammad Abdullah reacting quickest to nod the ball in from close range.Their second arrived in the 23rd minute when Adnan Saeed headed in from a corner and the contest was good as over in added time at the end of the first half when Ali Raza met a cross from the right with a first-time volley.PAF tried to hit back in the second half but their efforts weren’t enough.“The plan was to press from the start,” said Wapda’s Samnan Qaisar. “We were putting in a lot of crosses in the box and they brought us goals.”Wapda’s semi-final is against the winner of Wednesday’s last-eight clash between SA Gardens and International Supply Company.
FOOTBALL - National 06 Feb, 2026
Islamabad (Sports News): Nimso and International Supply Company shook up the National Challenge Cup by punching their way to the quarter-finals with contrasting victories on Friday.Khan Research Laboratories also advanced with a victory, while Hayyan Khattak struck twice in a superb show to help Mamsons open their campaign with a come-from-behind victory over PAF.Mamsons beat PAF 2-1 (KMC Stadium): Hayyan stole the show with a superb brace to help Mamsons clinch all three points against PAF. PAF, coming off a victory against Navy in their opener, started strongly against Mamsons and took the lead in the 18th minute when Abdul Samad cut in from the left and arrowed a shot high into the net.Mamsons were playing their first game at the tournament and PAF had chances to further extend their lead, one shot notably coming off the crossbar. But Hayyan turned it around, first scoring the leveller in first-half injury time after running onto a through ball and slotting it in. He completed the comeback in the 77th, volleying in a rebound after his shot came off the bar.“I’m buzzing,” said the Pakistan international midfielder. “It was a big game for us. I visualised these goals … I saw these coming.” Mamsons’ victory sets up an enticing group decider against Navy on Sunday with all three teams still in the running for the quarters.KRL beat Hazara Coal Company 3-0 (KPT Stadium): KRL had opened with a feisty draw against defending champions Wapda, but showed their superiority against Hazara Coal with a routine victory.Adeel opened the scoring in the 30th minute with Asad making it 2-0 10 minutes later. Skipper Waqar Ehtisham completed the scoring in the 48th. The result means Wapda need only a draw against Hazara Coal Company in their last group game on Sunday to join KRL in the quarter-finals. International Supply Company beat Railway 1-0 (KMC Stadium): An evenly-contested match ended with the International Supply Company scoring from the spot five minutes from time to secure all three points and progress from the group. Railways were claiming a goal at the other end, which was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper, but ended up conceding a penalty when Ali Imran felled Salman Umer in the box.Rizwan made no mistake from the spot to leave Railways, who drew their opener against Army, relying on the result on the final group match between International Supply Company and Army to see if they progress. “It was a tough game but we played well overall and are through,” player-of-the-match Owais said. “We would like to continue the same way in the next match.” Nimso beat PACA 2-0 (KPT Stadium): Nimso gained the upper hand against PACA with two goals in the space of five minutes in the first-half to push their opponents close to elimination. Nimso pressed PACA early on and got their reward in the 17th minute when Zulfiqar broke through to score.It was more misery for PACA five minutes later when Altaf Hussain curled in a free kick from the edge of the box. Mohammad Essa’s PACA, who drew with SA Gardens in the opener, tried to hit back in the second half but Nimso held on.It left the Chaman side needing a favourable result in the last group game between Nimso and SA Gardens on Sunday to stay alive. “It’s great to start of with a win and we will look to continue the same way in the next match and beyond,” player-of-the-match Zulfiqar said.
FOOTBALL - National 04 Feb, 2026
Islamabad (Sports News):Pakistan Air Force started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Pakistan Navy thanks to Arsalan’s stoppage time goal while three other matches ended in draws as the National Challenge Cup kicked off across two venues in Karachi on Wednesday.The heavyweight clash between two-time defending champions WAPDA and Khan Research Laboratories ended in a goalless draw, while Pakistan Railways scored late to hold Pakistan Army to a 1-1 draw.SA Gardens also came from behind, scoring deep into injury time, to secure a point against PACA.PAF 1-0 Navy (KPT Stadium)The match was on an even keel until a long throw from the left resulted in an error by the goalkeeper and the ball fell kindly to Arsalan, who fired into the roof of the net two minutes into time added on.PAF next play Mamsons on Friday while Navy conclude group play against Mamsons on Sunday.Wapda 0-0 KRL (KMC Stadium)A feisty game saw both teams cancel each other out with chances few and far between. “Both teams were well-matched so a draw is a fair result,” said Wapda head coach Mohammad Habib.KRL are next in action on Friday against Hazara Coal, who play Wapda in the final group fixture on Sunday.Army 1-1 Railways (KPT Stadium):After a goalless first half, Army broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Rafay broke free to put the ball in the back of the net.Railways grabbed the equaliser in the 88th minute when Mohammad Suleman when got to the end of a throughball by Mohammad Abdullah and ran through to score.“Our plan was to counterattack and it worked in the end,” said Railways head coach Nasir Ismail, whose side are next in action on Friday against International Supply Company.PACA 1-1 SA Gardens (KMC Stadium):SA Gardens scored in the third minute of injury time to secure a draw with Umar Javed tapping in from a low cross.PACA had opened the scoring in the seventh minute of time added on at the end of the first half through Sharef Khan.PACA play NIMSO next on Tuesday.
FOOTBALL - National 03 Feb, 2026
Islamabad (Sports News): The National Challenge Cup 2026 kicks off from Wednesday, February 4 with 12 teams taking part. The revival of domestic football had been top of the agenda for the Pakistan Football Federation under the leadership of President Syed Mohsen Gilani and the start of the tournament will give local players a chance to get some long-awaited action.The 12 teams have been divided into four groups of three each with the top two advancing to the quarter-finals. Navy, Pakistan Air Force and Mamsons are in Group ‘A’ while defending champions Wapda headline Group ‘B’ and are alongside KRL and Hazara Coal Company.Army, Railways and International Supply Company are in Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ is completed by SA Gardens, PACA and Nimso.“It is very important to have domestic competitions so young talent can thrive,” Pakistan national men’s football team head coach Nolberto Solano said during a press briefing on Tuesday.The head coach added that he hopes to find local players for the upcoming SAFF Under-20 Championship next month.PFF vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah said that there was a continuous demand for local tournaments.“This is an initiative of the PFF president Syed Mohsen Gilani to boost local football,” he said.Sindh Football Association president Azam Khan said the provincial body was looking to hold the event in a grand manner.“For a long time, nothing was happening but here we are and we hope that the revival of the Challenge Cup is the first step towards more domestic competitions.”
FOOTBALL - National 20 Jan, 2026
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD; The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has appointed seasoned administrator Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in order to fortify its administrative backbone and modernize the country’s football landscape.The appointment is being hailed by insiders as a landmark shift toward institutional governance. Khokhar, who formally assumed charge of PFF COO on Tuesday, is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Pakistani football’s survival and subsequent revival.Khokhar’s elevation to the role of COO is backed by a formidable track record. As a former member of the FIFA Normalization Committee, he was a central architect in navigating the federation through a tumultuous decade-long crisis. His ability to steer the sport through administrative deadlock and international isolation earned him a reputation as a sophisticated crisis manager and a stabilizing force in the PFF’s most challenging hours.Beyond his domestic influence, Khokhar brings an invaluable layer of international prestige to the PFF. Highly respected by FIFA, the AFC, and other global footballing bodies, his presence is expected to serve as a bridge between Pakistan and the international football community. His mandate as COO involves more than just oversight; he is tasked with: Aligning the PFF’s internal operational framework with FIFA’s global best practices; leveraging his credibility to enhance Pakistan’s standing in global football circles and implementing long-term administrative strategies to ensure the sport never regresses into the stalemates of the past.With football in Pakistan entering a phase of renewed hope, Khokhar’s appointment signals the federation’s commitment to professionalism. By placing an experienced "Normalization" veteran at the helm of operations, the PFF aims to transform the sport’s infrastructure into a robust and world-class entity.
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