Goalie Saqib feels confident after playing Maldives league

KARACHI: Pakistan football team’s highly talented goalkeeper Saqib Hanif has said that his experience of playing league in Maldives for the last few seasons has instilled a lot of confidence in him.

“Yes playing top league in the Maldives for the last few seasons has boosted my confidence which is very important for playing at the top level,” Saqib told ‘The News’ in an interview on Saturday. Bannu-born Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) gloveman will join his Dhivehi Premier League team Foakaidhoo FC in June.

“I will join my team Foakaidhoo FC in June as the league will start the same month. It normally lasts for ten months,” Saqib said. Saqib is one of the frontline keepers of Pakistan. Denmark-based Yousuf Butt is the other who has been attached with the national side for the last few years.

Saqib was part of Pakistan’s mission in the SAFF Cup, Asian Games and during Pakistan’s tour of Qatar last year. He missed Pakistan’s tour of Palestine for a FIFA friendly last year due to his club commitment.

Saqib will play his second straight season for Foakaidhoo FC, an island side which finished in the top five last season. Having a strong system at the grassroot level, Maldives has emerged as the most competitive side in the South Asian region despite its small population.

In Maldives’ top league players from around the world could be seen. “Its league has players from Brazil, Spain and other developed footballing nations. It’s a healthy league and the clubs look after their players quite nicely throughout,” Saqib said. As the future of Pakistan’s football is uncertain with the matter in the court of FIFA, league in Maldives has been playing a key role in Saqib’s build-up. “Yes, it’s the case. It always keeps me fitter,” Saqib said. Maldives’ Premier League carries ten teams and they play against each other on home and away basis. A team plays match after seven to eight days. The league plays at one venue.

Saqib, a former KRL player, said Maldives has developed a sound football system with each club having the stuff at different age-groups. And they also organise their leagues and that is the main reason that they get solid players for their national team,” Saqib said.

Saqib was also full of praise for his SSGC coach Tariq Lutfi for the way he looks after him.

“Tariq is a very good coach. I am enjoying playing in SSGC. He is highly supportive and always back me. I really love playing in SSGC. And that is the main reason why I left KRL for joining SSGC,” Saqib said. Before joining Foakaidhoo FC last season, Saqib played for a couple of seasons from Maldives’ BG Sports. Saqib has also the experience of playing in the Maldives second division league for one season. Saqib is given 2000 US dollars per month by his current club despite meeting all other expenses of the player.

As Pakistan’s participation in the forthcoming Olympic and World Cup qualifiers is in doubt, foreign leagues could be the target of most of the top national footballers. The country’s leading striker Kaleemullah has also recently signed an Iraqi club Al-Najaf FC for a decent purse. After having played in the United Soccer League Kaleem had moved to Turkey to play amateur league for sometime before he was signed by Al-Najaf FC, also having the experience of playing in the AFC Champions League.