Sports Bulletin

Islamabad (Sports Reporter): The Pakistan Football Federation announced the 21 camp probables for the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026, with the national U-15 camp set to begin on October 6 in Lahore.The camp marks the beginning of Pakistan’s preparations for the landmark youth football festival in Azerbaijan, as the country’s next generation of Shaheens begin their journey towards the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026. 🇵🇰🦅The 21 camp probables are:1. Ahmed Zahid Ullah Khan2. Ameer Hamza3. Bakshi Hamal Khan4. Danish Masih5. Hassan Zeb Khan6. Illhan Ali Khan7. Kaleem Ullah8. Maqbool Ahmed9. Mohammad Alam10. Mohammad Maaaz Adnan11. Mohammad Mustafa12. Mohammad Salman13. Owais Faiz14. Rameez Riza15. Sahil Khan16. Sameer Abdul Samad17. Shahraz Khan18. Shahzaib Nawaz19. Shayan Abdul Jabbar Marwat20. Zain Ul Abideen21. Zul NoorainThe camp will provide the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess the players as preparations begin for Pakistan’s participation in the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan.

Islamabad (Sports Reporter): Sindh Indus produced an outstanding second-half comeback to defeat Punjab Potohar 3-1 on the third day of the PFF National U-17 Championship 2026, while Punjab Harappa held Islamabad Margalla to a 2-2 draw at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, on Saturday.Punjab Potohar took the lead in the 16th minute when Mehmood Ali found the net with a superb free kick, the ball going in off the underside of the crossbar and giving the Sindh Indus goalkeeper no chance.The goal, however, came against the run of play.Sindh Indus had been the sharper side in the opening period, playing with pace, aggression and technical confidence. Their quick movement and ability to move the ball through pressure repeatedly caused problems for Punjab Potohar, but they went into half-time trailing by a goal.The second half saw Sindh Indus take complete control.They came out with even greater intensity, swarming all over Punjab Potohar and allowing their opponents very little opportunity to settle. Their speed, technical quality and aggressive approach kept Punjab Potohar pinned back for long periods.The equaliser arrived in the 62nd minute when Yaseen found the bottom corner to bring Sindh Indus level.Five minutes later, Sindh Indus completed the turnaround when Shahid put the ball into his own net, giving Sindh Indus a 2-1 lead.Punjab Potohar struggled to regain a foothold as Sindh Indus continued to press, and their dominance produced a third goal in the 80th minute, with Musa extending the lead to 3-1.There was still a twist to come.Just a minute after Musa’s goal, Sindh Indus were reduced to ten men when Hanzala was shown a red card in the 81st minute.Even with a player less, Sindh Indus held their shape and defended their advantage to complete a memorable 3-1 victory.Having trailed at half-time, Sindh Indus produced a second-half performance that underlined their quality and intent in the championship. Quick, aggressive and technically assured, they maintained their grip on the contest even after going down to ten players.Earlier in the day, Punjab Harappa and Islamabad Margalla shared the points in a four-goal contest that ended 2-2.Islamabad Margalla took the lead through Rameez in the seventh minute, but Punjab Harappa responded five minutes later when Husnain equalised.Islamabad Margalla restored their advantage in the 23rd minute through Shahzaib, before Punjab Harappa fought back once again, with Irfan Ali scoring in the 83rd minute to secure a share of the points.The results added another competitive day to the PFF National U-17 Championship, with the young players continuing to provide plenty of pace, intensity and attacking football as the tournament moves forward.

Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD: Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Shahid Niaz Khokhar, has said that the PFF has restored domestic football after a long time by starting the U17 National Football Championship 2026 here at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex, as 10 teams from all over the country will fight for the top honour.On Thursday, addressing a press conference along with other officials including PFF Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah, Islamabad Football Association President and Local Organising Committee Chief Sheikh Ahmed Rehan, and PFF Executive Committee Member Wasim Raja, he further added that the game of football was moving up in the country under the control of PFF president Mohsin Gillani.Shahid Niaz Khokhar said the competition represented an important step in the revival of structured youth football in the country. “For a long time, we have been missing a consistent national platform for our young footballers. This championship is about reviving youth football in Pakistan and, more importantly, putting structures in place that can continue beyond one tournament. We want young players to have regular opportunities to compete, to develop and to be identified, wherever they are in the country.”He said the Federation’s objective was to connect youth competitions with a broader development structure, creating clearer pathways from grassroots football towards the national teams. For many years, Pakistan’s youth national teams have largely relied on open trials and short selection camps whenever international competitions approached. While such trials provide an opportunity for players to be seen, they offer only a limited window in which a young footballer can demonstrate his ability.Islamabad Football Association President Sheikh Ahmed Rehan said the time had come to move away from that model. “For years, whenever Pakistan had to send a team abroad, we would announce open trials. Thousands of boys would come, and we would have a very limited period in which to identify the players. That cannot be the only way we identify talent. What we are now building is a competition-based merit system, where players have the opportunity to perform over time, and where sustained performance can define their progression.”Rehan said the increased football activity undertaken by the Federation over the past 15 months under the leadership of President Syed Mohsen Gilani had created the foundation for this change. “The idea is simple. If a player performs consistently, he should be seen. If he performs at a high level against strong competition, that should count. We want to move towards a system where merit and long-term performance matter, rather than one trial or one day deciding a player’s future.”Hafiz Zakaullah highlighted that the merit-based approach should extend beyond players to the coaches and technical staff working with them. “This system is not only about identifying talented players. It will also help us identify the coaches and technical staff who are doing outstanding work at the grassroots and competition level. If a coach is consistently producing good results and developing players, we should be able to recognise that work and give them

KPK Khyber post victory, Balochistan Bolan and Punjab Harappa match ends 2-2 DrawAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: KPK Khyber outclassed Punjab Potohar 3-0 in their opening match of the PFF National Under-17 Football Championship 2026, which kicked off at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Thursday. The match between Balochistan Bolan and Punjab Harappa ended at 2-2 draw.Khyber were made to work for their victory after Potohar dominated the early exchanges and started the game with greater purpose. The tide gradually turned, however, as Khyber settled into the contest and began to impose themselves through a strong midfield presence and energetic wing play.Abbas opened the scoring in the 15th minute, giving Khyber the lead after they had begun to find their rhythm. Potohar continued to compete, but Khyber grew increasingly influential as the game progressed, with their midfield engine and threat from the wings keeping their opponents on the back foot. The result was sealed in the closing stages when Atif struck twice in quick succession, scoring in the 88th and 90th minutes to complete a 3-0 victory for Khyber.The second game of the day produced a very different contest, as Punjab Harappa and Balochistan Bolan played out a 2-2 draw in a match that changed dramatically after half-time. Harappa dominated the opening period and were rewarded in spectacular fashion in first-half stoppage time.Husnain put Harappa ahead in the 45+2nd minute before Faizan doubled their advantage just two minutes later, sending Harappa into the interval with a 2-0 lead. Bolan, however, emerged from the break with a renewed sense of purpose.The Balochistan side adopted a never-say-die approach and began playing with greater intensity and attacking intent. The game remained end-to-end, but Bolan increasingly looked the more purposeful side as they searched for a way back.Their pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Zohaib pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. Bolan continued to push and, around the 70-minute mark, were putting Harappa under sustained pressure. The equaliser finally arrived from the penalty spot, with Kaleemullah converting in the 70th minute to bring Bolan level.The final whistle brought an end to an exhilarating 2-2 draw, but the contest had already done its job. An end-to-end battle, a two-goal comeback and chances at both ends gave the opening day its first real taste of the energy and unpredictability of the National U-17 Championship.Earlier, Member National Assembly, Anjum Aqeel Khan graced the opening ceremony as a chief guest and formally announced the championship open. The opening ceremony featured a march-past by all ten participating teams, bringing together young footballers from across Pakistan as the Federation begins putting in place a new structure for youth football and a clearer pathway towards the national teams.

Islamabad (Sports Reporter): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced that the PFF U-17 Championship 2026 will be held in Islamabad from 23 September to 4 October 2026.The championship will bring together provincial and regional teams from across Pakistan, providing young players with an opportunity to compete at the national level and gain valuable competitive experience.Each participating team will comprise 23 players and five officials.The championship forms part of the PFF’s ongoing efforts to revive and strengthen domestic football, expand opportunities for young players, and build a stronger pathway for youth development across Pakistan.The PFF will bear all expenses related to the participation of the teams, as well as the other costs associated with organising the championship.

Islamabad (Sports Reporter): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced a 23-member Pakistan national team squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in Indonesia.The squad brings together players travelling from Pakistan as well as members of the national team based abroad.Head coach Nolberto Solano will lead the Shaheens as they compete in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, which brings together teams from across the ASEAN region.23-member squad:Yousuf Butt, Hassan Ali, Saqib Hanif, Abdullah Shah, Abdul Rahman, Ali Khan, Ali Agha, Hayyan Khattak, Ali Uzair, Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad Arshad, Kaleem Ullah, Shayek Dost, Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Mohib Ullah, Mamoon Khan, Mohd Fazal, Haris Zeb, Umer Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Ali KhanThe FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 will provide Pakistan with an opportunity to compete on a new international platform and further strengthen its preparations against teams from the ASEAN region.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) today launched its Pakistan Women’s Football Strategy 2026–2030, setting out a national framework to develop women’s football from grassroots participation to the elite level and create sustainable pathways for players, coaches, referees, administrators and leaders.Launched in Islamabad under the theme “From Paper to the Pitch,” the strategy is built around five interconnected pillars: Participation and Competitions; Player Development and High-Performance; Education and Capacity Development; Visibility, Engagement and Growth; and Governance and Leadership.The strategy builds on an existing landscape of 62 registered clubs and academies, 673 registered female players, five certified women referees and the last AFC “A” Licence coaching course for women held in 2020.PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said the launch came at a historic moment for women’s football in Pakistan.“This is a historic year for Pakistan women’s football. Our women’s team has created history by participating in a FIFA event, and the women’s team is now ranked higher than the men’s team,” he said. “To all the players, coaches and staff who made this possible, everyone deserves our congratulations.”Gilani said the strategy centred on three priorities: improving national team performance, investing in youth development, and creating a broader ecosystem for women’s football.“We need to produce players, but we also need coaches, referees, managers and leaders,” he said. “It is my pledge that we want to create an ecosystem for women’s football where they can become whatever they want to be within the game.”He also highlighted the emphasis on women’s training through the PFF’s recent Football for Schools programme and the appointment of a woman as the federation’s safeguarding officer.Presenting the strategy, Head of Women’s Football Mejzgaan Orakzai said its central ambition was to establish a connected pathway allowing girls to enter football at grassroots level and progress towards the national team.“At its heart, this strategy is about developing women’s football from grassroots to the elite level,” Orakzai said. “The existing landscape is challenging, but there are great opportunities for growth. This is not about starting from zero; it is about building upon and strengthening what already exists.”The strategy proposes expanded grassroots and youth competitions alongside a tiered national, provincial and district women’s league structure, supported by a comprehensive player registration system and a national talent identification framework.“The pathway has to begin with access,” Orakzai said. “We want more girls playing football in schools, clubs and academies, more regular competitions, and a system that can identify talent wherever it exists.”Under its Player Development and High-Performance pillar, the strategy proposes Regional Training Centres, national youth programmes and a Women’s National Team High-Performance Framework, with regular international exposure for youth teams and at least 10 international matches annually for the senior national team.“High performance cannot be separated from the development system beneath it,” Orakzai said. “We need to identify players earlier, monitor their progression and provide them with the coaching, competition and support they need to reach the highest level.”The Education and Capacity Development pillar includes a national women’s coach education pathway, referee development programmes and leadership opportunities for women. It targets the training and certification of at least 250 female coaches across four regions and an increase in registered female referees to 100.The strategy also seeks to raise the profile and commercial appeal of women’s football through outreach, marketing, communications, media partnerships and fan engagement, with programmes designed to reach at least 2,000 girls annually across the four regions.Its Governance and Leadership pillar focuses on greater representation of women in leadership, stronger monitoring and reporting, club and league professionalisation, and enhanced safeguarding and player welfare.PFF Chief Operating Officer Shahid Khokhar said strategic planning was about aligning ambition with reality.“As a student of strategic planning, it is important to create a plan that aligns your dreams and ambitions with reality,” he said.PFF Technical Director Adeel Rizki said: “Youth football is very critical. What happens over the next three years will depend greatly on what happens with the youth,” Rizki said. “With proper planning and execution, we can have a very robust national system.”Coordinator to the Prime Minister for the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination Syeda Mehreen Sajid welcomed the creation of a clear pathway while emphasising the need to reach talent beyond major cities.“Building a pathway is amazing, because we can then see a plan and a direction,” she said. “I am hoping that you will cater to smaller towns as well as the bigger cities, because some amazing talent is hiding there.”Looking towards 2030, the strategy envisions more girls participating in football, more players, coaches and referees entering the system, greater opportunities for women in leadership, and a football environment that is accountable, professional and safe.The strategy’s mission is to develop women’s football into one of the leading sports for females in Pakistan while creating a comprehensive structure that nurtures talent from grassroots to elite level.

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.

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.

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.