PFF official says he has tough challenge ahead

KARACHI: The newly-appointed Director Technical of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Shehzad Anwar on Monday said that he had a tough challenge ahead but would try his level best to live up to the expectations.

“My new job is really tough and more challenging particularly at a stage in which we currently are. But I will strive my level best to live up to the billing of the PFF president and secretary who reposed confidence in me,” Shehzad told ‘The News’ in an interview from his hometown in Sargodha on Monday.

Shehzad, also a former Pakistan coach, is the only pro-license coach of the country. He also remained a member of the Sao Paulo Coaches Association for a couple of years.About his responsibility Shehzad said that he had a few areas to work in as Director Technical.

“As as a Director Technical I will have to work on coaches’ education, both national men and women teams building and grassroots and youth development,” Shehzad conceded. The PFF ExCo the other day approved Shehzad’s appointment as Director Technical. The PFF also has appointed Pakistan’s assistant coach Sajjad Mehmood as Director Competitions. Before the football conflict emerged in April 2015 that wasted Pakistan’s three crucial years, former Pakistan’s coach Mohammed Shamlan of Bahrain had been serving both as Director Technical of PFF and head coach of Pakistan.

When Shehzad was asked when the PFF would also need his services as a coach what he would do, he said whatever the responsibility would be shouldered he would try his best to perform. About his immediate targets Shehzad said that Pakistan’s team selection for the Asian Games and SAFF Cup was on the radar. revealed. Asian Games, in which competing nations may field its Under-23 teams with only four senior players, will be held in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2. The SAFF Championship would be staged in Bangladesh from September 4 to 15. Shehzad said that a coaches’ panel would be constituted which would witness the matches of the National Challenge Cup which is expected to begin at Karachi from April 20.

However Shehzad was quick to add that Pakistan would direly need international exposure and lengthy camp for the two assignments. He added that it is also on the radar of the PFF to hire the services of a foreign coach. “The PFF is in contact with Bahrain for a coach and has also signed an agreement with China which can also help Pakistan to also get some players for its Premier League,” Shehzad said.

Shehzad said at the same time effort would be made to also know the status of the foreign-based stuff, both Pakistan’s grown playing in foreign clubs and those foreign-based.

Pakistan’s star striker Kaleemullah is playing in Turkey, Saddam Hussain is in Cyprus and goalkeeper Saqib Hanif is to set to depart for the Maldives to play a league there. Denmark-based Hassan Bashir, Yousuf Butt and Mohammad Ali are some of the players whose services could be taken, especially for the SAFF Championship.