Shehzad to get Sadullah a place in Brazilian club

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former head coach Shehzad Anwar is taking international midfielder Sadullah along with him to Brazil to get him a place in any club in Sao Paulo.

He wants to keep him engaged in football because of lack of activities in Pakistan due to tussle between two groups.

They are expected to leave for Sao Paulo on July 15 or 20. Sadullah, who plays for Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), has got his Brazil visa.

“There are two clubs and Sadullah will be adjusted in one of them,” Shehzad told ‘The News’ from Sargodha on Wednesday.

Sadullah’s entry into any club will not be on the basis of any contract. He will play with the club and will get good coaching facilities. If he shows potential, the club may offer him a contract.

The air-fare will be met by Sadullah himself. However, during his stay there board and lodging will be provided to him by the club. “His stay in Brazil will keep him fit. It is better for him to do something than sitting idle in the country,” Shehzad said.

Shehzad himself is working with a Portuguese club in Sao Paulo. He has completed five modules of his pro coaching course. However, for receiving the licence a coach needs to work for six months with a national under-19 or senior team as a coach or with any professional club.

Early this year, Shehzad was inducted into the Coaches Education Panel of the Union of Sao Paulo State Soccer Coaches (SITREFESP) for 2016-17.

Shehzad said that he had a meeting with the SITREFESP Director Technical Jose Antoni Nogueira who told him it would not be a problem and in every club at least two Pakistani players could be adjusted which would help them keep fit.

“I also talked to midfielder Mohammad Adil but he excused at the eleventh hour. If any other player is interested to play in Brazil he may contact me,” Shehzad said.

Shehzad plans to take an amateur football club to Brazil for featuring in a seven-a-side competition at the town level.

Shehzad played an instrumental role in Sadullah’s contract with the Maldives Club BG Sports. And this year he has also brokered a contract for Pakistan’s frontline gloveman Saqib Hanif with the same club in Male.

Shehzad served Pakistan as head coach in the SAFF Cup in Nepal in 2013. He has also coached Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and SSGC and is the Director Technical of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

Since April 2015, there has been no football activity in Pakistan owing to infighting in Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).