Implementation of NC’s findings can put Pakistan football on road to success and stability: Khokhar

LAHORE: Implementing the findings of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) could pave the way for stability and success in Pakistan’s football landscape.

This was highlighted by Shahid Khokhar, a senior member of the NC led by Haroon Malik, during an informal discussion ahead of the PFF Congress’s Extraordinary Meeting scheduled for January 23.

The PFF NC, mandated by FIFA, was tasked with reviving Pakistan’s football system after years of mismanagement and infighting. When FIFA appointed the committee in 2021, Pakistan football was in disarray, marked by organizational chaos, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate support for grassroots players.

Khokhar remarked: “The NC accepted this monumental challenge as a national duty, working tirelessly to restore order and fulfill FIFA’s expectations under extremely challenging circumstances.”

The situation was exacerbated by factional conflicts, most notably the 20-month occupation of FIFA House in Lahore by the Ashfaq Group, which hindered the NC’s progress.

Despite these hurdles, the NC remained committed to its mission, focusing on both organizational reforms and football development. Despite its primary mandate of conducting free and fair elections, the NC undertook several initiatives to ensure continuity and growth in Pakistan football.

The NC successfully organized and supervised various tournaments, both domestic and international, including: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Rounds 1 and 2), SAFF Championship 2023, Six-Nation Cup 2023, U-19 and U-16 SAFF Championships.

These events provided vital exposure for Pakistani players and reaffirmed the country’s presence on the global football map. The NC introduced the FIFA Connect Programme to digitize the registration of football clubs, eliminating ghost clubs and ensuring genuine ones were part of the system.

Registration help centers and mobile van services were set up, especially for remote areas, to facilitate the process. Matches were organized to verify club activity and ensure only legitimate clubs participated in district elections.

The NC conducted district-level elections and is now preparing for provincial elections, leading to the final PFF elections. This phased approach aims to establish a democratically elected football body capable of managing the sport effectively. For the first time, Pakistan’s football system has been digitized. The NC created a comprehensive database of clubs, players, and officials, addressing the lack of proper records that had plagued the system for decades.

Khokhar stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes, which had crippled Pakistan football for nearly 15 years. He highlighted the NC’s efforts to establish a professional framework that ensures transparency, efficiency, and growth.

He also emphasized the role of departmental teams as key stakeholders in promoting football nationwide and expressed hope that their contributions would continue under the new leadership.

Khokhar urged the incoming PFF leadership to implement the NC’s findings and recommendations as a foundation for future success. He expressed optimism that FIFA would encourage the newly elected PFF to prioritize these reforms to prevent a relapse into the organizational crises of the past.

“The PFF NC has laid the groundwork,” Khokhar stated. “It is now up to the new leadership to build on this foundation and take Pakistan football to new heights.” “The Normalisation Committee has made remarkable progress in addressing the deep-rooted issues within Pakistan football.

With a digitized structure, transparent processes, and a roadmap for professionalization, the stage is set for a brighter future. The ball now lies in the court of the incoming PFF leadership to maintain the momentum and steer the sport toward long-term stability and success,” Khokhar concluded.