Rebuilding Pakistan soccer a tiring endeavour: Anelka

ISLAMABAD: Rebuilding Pakistan soccer is tiring and a pains-taking endeavour that requires a system spanning over years of efforts, says former French star footballer Nicolas Anelka during his interaction with media here Tuesday.

The former French national, PSG, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City talisman who now turned into a quality coach admitted the country possess soccer talent. “Pakistan performance at junior level has been encouraging. What needed, however, is to evolve a system that could ensure proper grooming of a player. Nourishing a player or executing a system is not all that easy. It is a tough, pains-taking and time consuming job,” Anelka said. The former French player said he had a special liking for Pakistan soccer. “This is my second visit to Pakistan and I am hopeful for many more to come. I know well that a nation of over 200 million people have special liking for the game of football. They want to be amongst the leading football playing nation in the continent. I am here to help them out. Whenever they require my services I would be available,” he said.

Anelka who embraced Islamabad when he was 16, hailed Pakistan cricketers as the best around. “Talent is in abundance. Pakistan cricketers are the best in the world and I hope that in years to come the country would emerge as better football nation.”

Ahmer Kunwar, Chief Executive Touch Sky Group (TSG) that has already announced a long term partnership with Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) hoped that future belonged to Pakistan footballer. “I have already scooped up services of almost 89 Asian footballers with the European league and Clubs. I know well that Pakistan can also groom players for international clubs and leagues. We are here to help them out.”He said Nicolas Anelka, former the French International talisman has been enlisted to World Soccer Stars is here for the purpose. Anelka also met the new President PFF Syed Ashfaq Shah to reinforce the development of the 20 point agenda to uplift football. “The aspiration of millions of football fanatics in Pakistan is now about making their dreams become a reality and not only to witness world-class players arriving in Pakistan with exhibition matches but to inject new life line into football offering real tangible outcomes for Pakistan,” PFF president said.

Syed Asfaq Shah welcomed Nicolas Anelka to Pakistan. “ I really look forward to his input to help us develop a sustainable way forward offering Pakistan realistic goals.”