Kaleem joins Al-Najaf FC in Iraq

KARACHI: Former Pakistan football captain Kaleemullah has joined Iraq’s renowned club Al-Najaf for the remaining four months of the top-tier league.

Kaleem has also practised with his new club.

“I joined Al-Najaf FC four days ago and I am very happy to be here,” Kaleem told ‘The News’ from Najaf on Thursday.

Iraq is one of the most important Arab football nations. Its premier league is regarded as one of the best among Arab countries. The 20-team league is highly professional and has several foreign players from around the world.

“It’s a strong league, having large number of foreign players. Although I have just joined my club, I know that in my club there are four foreign players, including me. The others are from Iran, Algeria and Ghana,” said Kaleem, who has signed the agreement with Al-Najaf for a whopping amount of Rs5 million. “Initially the club wanted me for Rs4 million but I told them that I would not join for less than Rs5 million. The club then responded positively and so I am here today,” the striker said.

Kaleem was not part of Pakistan team during its international engagements last year due to certain reasons. Before joining Al-Najaf FC, Kaleem was playing amateur league in Turkey. Although it was amateur, the player says it was strong. “It is called amateur but is too strong,” Kaleem recalled.

One and a half years ago, Kaleem was playing in the United Soccer League (USL) in the United States. Kaleem turned pro when he was signed by Dordoi Bishkek, a Kyrgyzstan club, for Rs10 million for a couple of years back in 2014.

Former Pakistan coach Zavisa Milosavljevic, who was Dordoi’s coach, had signed Kaleem, diminutive winger Mohammad Adil and current Pakistan captain Saddam Hussain.

Staying at a five-star hotel in the historic Najaf city in central-south Iraq, Kaleem is happy with the way the club looks after its players. “Every player has been given a separate room in the five-star hotel. Healthy diet is being provided. The club has its own stadium and people love the game and the venues are always full of crowd,” Kaleem said.

Al-Najaf FC featured in the AFC Champions League in 2007.

Although its current standing in the Premier League is not sound, it is hoped that with the induction of the mercurial forward from Pakistan things will improve.

“I will try my best,” said Kaleem, who represents K-Electric in Pakistan. “The league is being telecast live and it is my desire to make solid contributions so that I could get better opportunities,” Kaleem said.

“Playing in a professional league is important. It builds your confidence,” the player said.

With Pakistan’s participation in Olympic Qualifiers later this month in Uzbekistan already at stake, it is highly likely that FIFA will decide the fate of Pakistan football next month.

If Pakistan faced sanctions then the nation would also miss World Cup qualifiers next summer.

A new federation has been formed as a result of the Supreme Court-ordered elections last year. But FIFA does not recognise the body. The world body recognises Faisal Saleh Hayat-led PFF which handed over accounts and headquarters to the newly-elected body under the instructions of the Supreme Court.