K. Jahangir
ISAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination has urged the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to amend its Constitution and administrative framework in line with FIFA requirements and international standards, while calling for a stronger grassroots system to identify and develop football talent nationwide.
The issue was discussed during the committee’s 14th meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Acting Chairman Sheikh Aftab Ahmed. PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani participated in the meeting online and responded to the committee’s queries regarding various football-related matters in Pakistan. PFF Chief Operating Officer Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar also briefed the committee on the federation’s current status, electoral process and coordination with FIFA.
The committee was informed that PFF elections had been conducted in accordance with FIFA directions and the prescribed procedure, resulting in the formation of a new elected body that is now functional. However, necessary constitutional and administrative reforms remain required to ensure greater compliance with FIFA’s requirements and international best practices.
The committee emphasised that the newly elected PFF leadership must ensure implementation of FIFA’s directions and complete the required reforms. The discussion placed the federation’s constitutional framework at the centre of efforts to establish a stable and internationally compliant football administration in Pakistan.
Beyond governance, the committee highlighted grassroots development as an equally urgent priority. It stressed that Pakistan’s football revival must begin at the school and community level, with systematic talent identification extending to schools, colleges, tehsils, districts and divisions.
The committee called for talent-hunt programmes to reach remote and underserved areas so that promising players are not overlooked simply because they lack access to established football centres. Identified talent, it said, should be provided with proper coaching, training facilities and competitive opportunities to progress towards national and international football.
The committee also stressed stronger coordination between the PFF and provincial governments, saying effective communication and cooperation among federal, provincial and football authorities were essential for sustainable development of the sport.
Sports secretaries from the provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan briefed the committee on their respective development programmes, talent hunts, funding, athletes’ training and participation in competitions. The committee called for adequate, need-based and transparent utilisation of sports funds, with priority given to talent identification, coaching, facilities and athletes’ preparation.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Babar Nawaz Khan, Waseem Qadir, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Haji Rasool Bux Chandio, Syeda Shehla Raza, Dr Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Khushal Khan Kakar and Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan.
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