Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Football Federation delegation led by president Syed Mohsen Gilani held high-profile meetings after attending the 36th AFC Congress in Vancouver, Canada on Tuesday.
PFF president Gilani, vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah and Chief Operating Officer Shahid Niaz Khokhar, who are in Canada for the 76th FIFA Congress on Thursday, met German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf, Canada Soccer president Peter Augroso, Chinese Football Federation (CFA) president Song Kai and Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF) vice-president Dzhalilov Iskandor.
The DFB offered PFF full support on several avenues including coaches education and women’s football. Neuendorf extended an invitation to Pakistan players and coaches to visit Germany and learn from the high quality footballing ecosystem there.
In the meeting with Canada Soccer president, PFF president thanked Canada for their hospitality during the FIFA Congress. With Canada possessing a solid football structure, their cooperation on grassroots football and coach education courses was discussed. Talks for an exhibition series were also held, with the PFF offering its support in activating the Pakistan community in Canada.
The CFA chief hailed the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, terming the two countries as ‘Iron Brothers’. The CFA has offered Pakistan support in futsal training with the PFF inviting Kai for a visit to Pakistan. Both federations agreed to a detailed meeting after the World Cup.
The TFF, meanwhile, has offered its support in training Pakistani referees, whilst also assisting in coaching of goalkeepers. Cooperation on women’s football development was also discussed.
Tuesday’s meetings were part of a detailed programme of the PFF delegation in Canada, where it will also be meeting officials from several other federations to discuss avenues of football development.
