AFC announces 300,000 US dollars for PFF

KARACHI: Just days after FIFA lifted suspension it had imposed on Pakistan due to a conflict the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Tuesday sanctioned a grant of 300,000 US dollars for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the PFF secretariat at Lahore which according to the federation has been badly damaged.

“The AFC sanctioned 300,000 US dollars on the request of the PFF for repair and reconstruction of the PFF House Lahore which had been badly damaged during three years of illegal occupation,” the PFF said in a press release on Tuesday. The PFF said that the AFC would be sending its consultant within a week to assess the damage and initiate tender process.

Meanwhile the PFF also disclosed that the AFC has also approved an infrastructure project. “The AFC also approved another infrastructure project for the PFF within the current cycle,” it added.

However a PFF told The News that it is not a Goal Project and it’s details would soon be disclosed. “Its not a Goal Project and its actual details would be released soon,” the official conceded.

The PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat has also thanked the AFC President, its ExCo General Secretary and Member Associations department for their staunch support to the PFF during the last three years.

The PFF claimed that the AFC President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has reiterated his strong resolve to abide by the statutes and expressed his unwavering support to the PFF in rebuilding football in Pakistan.

The PFF further said that all the Exco members of the AFC have congratulated the PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat on regaining the possession of the PFF headquarters and accounts after FIFA lifted sanctions which it had imposed on Pakistan last October.

They have offered all out support to Pakistan for developing its football. It is pertinent to mention here that because of the conflict Pakistan remained inactive in international football since April 2015 that has damaged the whole culture of the much sought after sport. After the Lahore High Court (LHC) division restored the PFF a few days ago and FIFA lifted its sanctions the PFF held its ExCo meeting at Lahore a few days ago and made some vital decisions regarding resumption of football activities in the country which failed to even organise its Premier League for the last three seasons becasue of the issue. As per fresh announcement the PFF is going to hold National Football Challenge Cup at Karachi from April 20 in which all the teams of the Premier League and second-tier football will be given opportunity to showcase their talent. The National Challenge Cup would be a source for picking boys, both Under-23 and seniors, for forming national teams for featuring in the Asian Games and SAFF Cup.

The Asian Games would be held in Indonesia from August 18 to September 2 while the SAFF Cup would be conducted in Bangladesh from September 4-15.