PFF asks PSB to relax NOC requirement for Saudi friendly

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation has formally requested the Pakistan Sports Board to relax its timeline requirements for issuing PFF a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to allow Pakistan’s women’s national team to compete in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia in Qatar on Dec. 7, 2024.

The PSB policy requires federations to submit NOC applications at least eight weeks prior to an event, a deadline PFF was unable to meet due to the late arrival of SAFF’s invitation, which reached the PFF on Oct. 28. This left insufficient time for PFF to comply with the mandated submission window.

The PFF has faced multiple issues over issuance of NOC from PSB in the past. Most of them were mainly because of PSB’s objection over the delayed submission of NOC requests. “The invitation was received by PFF on the 28th October, 2024. As a result, PFF is unable to adhere to timelines stipulated by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the travelling contingent,” the PFF letter stated.

PFF NC member Shahid Niaz Khokhar urged PSB to expedite the NOC approval process. “This is an exceptional opportunity for our women’s team to compete on an international level and strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia’s federation,” Khokhar wrote, adding that missing the match would be a “significant loss” for Pakistan’s football community.

The PFF has outlined a travel and training schedule, with the team set to depart for Doha on Nov. 20 for a camp before the Dec. 7 match. The team’s return is planned for Dec. 8. The PFF added that it committed to providing all necessary documentation and emphasised the urgency of securing the NOC to avoid any last-minute hurdles. According to PFF, granting this exception would bolster relations between the football federations of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The PSB has yet to respond publicly to PFF’s request.