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Football - National

FOOTBALL - National 17 Aug, 2023

Boys U16 camp for SAFF U16 Championship commences in Lahore

LAHORE (Press Release): After conducting a 15 days camp in Abbottabad, the Boy's Under-16 camp under the supervision of Head Coach Sajjad Mehmood, Assistant Coach Hassan Baloch, and Goal Keeping Coach Jaffer Khan has been kicked off in Lahore.Spanning from February to June, these trials attracted participants from across the country, resulting in the identification of 200 exceptionally talented players. 50 players were shortlisted for the national U-16 training camp in Abbottabad.Out of 50 players who take part in training, a squad of 23 players will represent Pakistan in SAFF U16 Championship. Pakistan team was placed in Group B with Bhutan and Maldives. Pakistan will take on Bhutan and Maldives on September 1 and 3 respectively.Heach Coach Sajjad Mehmood said: “The boys are prepared well and taking part in the training. We hope the boys will perform well in SAFF U16 Championship. The players have been trying to adapt themselves to the international requirements by showing full interest in training since the first day whereas minor errors of some players were eradicated during the practice games," he added.

FOOTBALL - National 16 Aug, 2023

PFF announces probables for AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the national squad for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers, which will take place in Bahrain next month September 2023According to an official of PFF, the training camp is scheduled to commence on August 17 in Abbottabad, providing an opportunity for the players to ready themselves as a unified team. The Shaheens were drawn into Group D alongside the host country Bahrain, the 2016 champions Japan and Palestine. The national team will face Japan on September 6 followed by Bahrain on September 9 and Palestine on September 12. Names of players: Salman Ul Haq, Usman Ali, Hassan Ali and Asif Ullah (goalkeepers), Saeed Khan, Zain Ul Abideen, Mohammad Abdullah, Mamoon Moosa Khan, Sardar Wali, Abdul Rehman, Abdullah Shah, Mohib Afridi, Mohammad Sufyan, Mohammad Sohail and Syed Junaid Shah (defenders), Faheem Ullah, Touqeer Ul Hassan, Mohammad Baseer, Zaid Umer, Mohammad Taha, Alamgir Ghazi, Nizam, Hayyan Khattak, Mazhar Ghaffar and Ali Raza (midfielders) Shayek Dost, Mohammad Waleed Khan, Moin Ahmed, Mohammad Waheed, Fareed Ullah, Adeel Younas, Hamza Ahmed, Faraz Mehmood and Hammad Hassan (Forwards)

FOOTBALL - National 10 Aug, 2023

All Pakistan Veteran Football Mela gets underway from August 12

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The 5th All Pakistan Veteran Football Mela will be held at Jallo Football Club (FC) Ground from August 12 to 14, 2023. This was revealed by Sardar Naveed Haider Khan, along with Mian Abass Patron Pakistan International Football Veterans Association, during a press conference held here at a local hotel on Thursday. “This Veterans Football Mela is celebrated to mark Independence Day (14th August) in a great style. “I am extremely grateful to Mian Abass, Chief Patron of Pakistan International Veterans Football Association, for his great support and especially for taking the initiative of conducting this prestigious tournament. I am also thankful to Pepsi, one of the leading International Brand, for coming forward as the Brand Sponsor of this event, which is a great support for our great legendary players,” Sardar Naveed asserted. “The participating teams include Karachi, Quetta, Chitral, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore and also of former world captains. This initiative has been taken for the promotion of football in the country. We want to see the football legends of yesteryears in action on the fields instead of keeping them in their homes,” he added. “We have appealed to the government for cooperation, but no attention in this regard has been paid. But now we have decided to pay from our own pockets to continue this cause that is very essential to engage our footballers in healthy activities and motivate them to impart their knowledge and skills to our youth,” Sardar Naveed asserted.

FOOTBALL - National 27 Jul, 2023

National U16 training camp to begin on August 1 in Abbottabad

Sports Bulletin ReportAbbottabad: National Under-16 training camp will start on August 1, 2023 in Abbottabad, as the regional training camp for boys Under-16 concluded in Quetta, Karachi, Islamabad, Kohat, and Khanewal spanning from February to June, these trials attracted participants from across country, resulting in the identification of 200 exceptionally talented players. Candyland sponsored camps.According to the media department of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), from the pool of talented participants, 50 players were shortlisted for the national U-16 training camp, set to begin on August 1 in Abbottabad. Guided by the experienced coach, Sajjad Mehmood, these young talents will engage in practice sessions to further elevate their skills and abilities.However, a final squad comprising 23 players will represent Pakistan in the SAFF U-16 Championship, taking place in Bhutan from September 1 to September 10 by taking on Bhutan and Maldives on September 1 and 3 respectively.

FOOTBALL - National 20 Jul, 2023

Football News: Naveed Challenges Haroon Malik for debate on football

Haider requests PM, and COAS take steps to save the football in countryAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Former Vice President of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Sardar Naveed Haider has requested Prime Minister (PM) Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Asim Munir to take steps to save the game of football in the country, as also challenged Chairman Normalization Committee (NC) Haroon Malik for debate on football issues.While addressing a press conference at a local hotel here on Thursday, Haider further demanded that PFF elections be held within three months, which is a constitutional need. “We want promotion of soccer in the country, as at present the standard of football is declining day by day owing to poor policies of the NC administration. Except for Shahid Khokhar rest of all office holders do not know the basics of football, “he lamented.“Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) should communicate to the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) about the dismal performance and small football activities, which are not fruitful for Pakistan’s football, as the NC officials are drawing mammoth salary packages and doing nothing. They did not give occasion to upcoming Pakistani lads and gave preference to overseas Pakistani male and female footballs, “he added.He said, “The normalization committee has ignored the local talent. Millions of dollars have been spent on the women's team for a friendly match in Singapore, as some girls did not have Pakistani passports, and they participated in international tournaments without permission (NOC) from the government, which is the law of the land. Local football in Pakistan has ended, the system of football in Pakistan must be put on track now, Haroon Malik is also misleading the National Standing Committee on IPC by submitting a false report, “he alleged.While replying to a question Sardar Naveed said that the federal government had invited NC officials for a meeting last September to dig out the facts regarding FIFA’s recommendations. “Now, NC wants to give voting rights to selected clubs, as the original soccer nursery is the club that is overlooked. According to the constitution of PFF a club first gets the right of playing for 2 years and after analyzing its activities that club gets voting right. There are around five thousand active football clubs across the country. The Premier Football League could not be held in the country for four years. Also, the Normalization Committee failed to organize national events, “he concluded.Also, Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Veterans Mian Mohammad Abbas, Chairman of District Football Rawalpindi Raja Ishtiaq, Ex-international player Mohammad Imtiaz Butt, Ex-international player Mohammad Amjad Chowdhary, Ex-international player Tahir Perwaz, Zafar Pirzada (PTV), and other officials were present in the press conference.

FOOTBALL - National 04 Jul, 2023

Football News: Regional training camps for Boys U-16 to start on July 8

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The regional training camps for the Boys Under-16 to commence on July 8 simultaneously in Quetta, Karachi, Islamabad, Kohat, and Khanewal, as a 26-man squad will be selected for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 championship.Sajjad Mehmood, the head coach of the Pakistan U-16 team, will oversee the performance of the players for the upcoming event. From the pool of talented participants, 50 players will be selected for the national U-16 training camp, set to begin on August 1 and conclude on August 30. Under the guidance of Sajjad Mehmood, the players will undergo practice sessions to further enhance their skills and receive expert coaching during the training.Following the training camp, a final squad comprising 26 members will be chosen. This selected team will represent Pakistan in the SAFF U-16 championship, taking place in Bhutan from September 1 to September 11. The championship will provide a valuable platform for the young players to compete against other national teams. The same team will participate in the AFC U-16 qualifiers next year.

FOOTBALL - National 25 Jun, 2023

Football News: MA Referee Instructor Course concludes at FIFA House

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: A 5-day first Members Association (MA) Referee Instructor Course concluded on Sunday, which was taken place under the supervision of course instructor Mohamad Rodzali Yaqub at FOFA Football House Lahore under the banner of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).According to an official of PFF, Mohamad Rodzali Yaqub, a FIFA Regional Development Officer from Malaysia, dedicated five days to sharing his expertise with a group of 16 ex-FIFA and national referees from Pakistan. The course was part of FIFA's 'Teach the Teachers program' by engaging in theoretical discussions and hands-on activities, he facilitated a comprehensive learning experience for the referees. Chairman NC Haroon Malik said: “I would like to thank Rodzali who came here to teach referees new things according to FIFA and AFC standards. He extended his best wishes to all the participants who not only acquired new knowledge but would also pass it on and officiate in future matches and reinforced the commitment to improving the refereeing landscape in Pakistan.”On the occasion, Mohamad Rodzali Yaqub expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for having him in Pakistan and to Khurram Shahzad, who is the referee manager for arranging the informative course for the referees. He expressed his satisfaction in sharing his experiences with the participants and hoped that the refereeing standard would improve. He acknowledged the participants' potential to acquire new knowledge and highlighted their remarkable dedication to approaching the course's practical and theoretical components. He commended their outstanding commitment and enthusiasm throughout the course.

FOOTBALL - National 14 Jun, 2023

Chairman NC Haroon Malik calls on Olympian Athlete Arshad Nadeem

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-Chairman, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) Haroon Malik called on Arshad Nadeem Pakistan's Olympian javelin thrower at Football House Lahore on Wednesday. Dr. Asad Abbas, Chairman Pakistan Olympic Medical Commission was also present on the occasion.According to an official of PFF, sports relating issues came under discussion during the meeting. Chairman Haroon Malik appreciated the performance of Arshad Nadeem in the Commonwealth Games 2022 and his achievement of bagging a gold medal for the longest distance of 78.02m in the Javelin throw at the 34th National Games in Quetta. He also highlighted the importance of motivating athletes and providing support to them in various ways.Arshad Nadeem expressed his gratitude to Haroon Malik for inviting him and appreciated the respect he received. He said when athletes are appreciated for their hard work and accomplishments, it not only enhances their confidence but also inspires them to pursue even greater success. Such gestures can be fruitful for any sportsman, he added.

FOOTBALL - National 08 Jun, 2023

Football News: PFF Introductory Referee Course starts in Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-As many as 24 persons are taking part in the third Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Introductory Referee Training Course that kicked off on Tuesday here at FIFA House. Similar courses have been conducted in Karachi and Quetta under the banner of PFF.A three-day will conclude on the 10th of June. The four-day long course is headed by Khurram Shahzad who is FIFA MA Referee Instructor and Manager Referees PFF.NC Chairman Haroon Malik said:"I welcome you all to the course and wish you good luck. Referees play a crucial role in ensuring fair play and upholding the rules of the game, and acquiring new knowledge and techniques can greatly enhance your abilities. I hope you will learn things that will help you in the future."Manager Referee Khurram Shahzad said:"I am thankful to PFF NC for the matchless efforts of conducting the courses in different cities. Previously, we have made a successful course orientation in Karachi and Quetta. This is indeed a good medium for the participants to learn and we are looking forward to expanding in other cities."

FOOTBALL - National 07 Jun, 2023

Football News: Women goalkeepers’ training camp starts in Lahore

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE:-Women goalkeepers’ training camp started on Wednesday under the control of women goalkeeper coach Ahsanullah Khan.According to an official of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Nisha Ashraf, Tooba Idris, Sahar Zaman, Mafia Parveen, Ayina Mirza, and Naira Amin have been hinted as potential players. The objective of the camp is to assess and identify the best goalkeeper among them, who will then have the opportunity to participate in the senior team camp later this month.Coach Ahsanullah Khan said:“The camp in Lahore will conclude on June 11 and will be followed by another camp in Karachi from June 13 to 18. By evaluating goalkeepers in training, we aim to select 3 players who will then have the opportunity to participate in the National Women's Team camp, which is set to commence in the middle of June.”