Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in the past was the hotbed of conspiracies and its warring leadership never bothered to think about the development of the game. Though there is no dearth of talent in the country, the previous PFF leadership brought the game to such a level that Pakistan were now little in the soccer world.
In the fifties and sixties, some soccer legends, like Ismail Jan, Taj Mohammad Sr., Musa and Omar helped Pakistan make their presence felt in the region, but now the country is little known in the soccer world.
Even today Pakistan's former international Abbas Baloch, who has been associated with the PFF in one way or the other, the Federation could not utilise his experience and expertise to groom the young players.
It is believed that Abbas Baloch, a resident of soccer crazy area of Karachi, Lyari, was keen to groom Lyari youths, but lack of basic infrastructure and indifference of the PFF bosses, could not help him materialise his plans.
IMAGE TARNISHED:
However, whatever image the country had during the sixties and fifties was tarnished during the last three decades, as the controlling body of the game was in the hands of self-seekers and pygmies, who have no interest in the promotion of the game.
Until recently PFF President Mian Mohammed Azhar, who was deeply involved in Pakistan Muslim League affairs and national politics, his Secretary General Hafiz Salman Butt, a leader of Jamaat-i-Islami, were at loggerheads.
While Mian Azhar had no time to concentrate on the promotion of the game, including provision of basic infrastructure, Hafiz Salman Butt's sole interest was to safeguard his own outfit, Wohaib Club.
The two never sat together to discuss plans for the development of grounds, training and coaching of young players at grassroots level and involving regional and provincial associations in the PFF affairs.
It is a well-known fact that when "the elephants fight the grass suffers." The same was the case of football as the two PFF giants were at loggerheads, the game suffered. It is believed that the "two have agreed to disagree", on issues relating to the game.
They were least interested in improving Pakistan's ranking in the world, which until recently was 170th.
CHANGE OF HANDS:
In August 2003, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Faisal Saleh Hayat took over as PFF President and Muhammad Arshad Khan Lodhi as Secretary General, ending the darkest era of Pakistan Football.
Soon after taking over, the PFF President took some bold and revolutionary decisions like introducing women football, inviting Indian women football team, organising first national women football championship and a seminar on women football.
These steps were appreciated by Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) President Joseph Sepp Blatter, who is interested to see the game flourish in this part of the world.
It may be recalled the FIFA, in its drive to promote the game in Asia, has not only pumped millions of dollars into the PFF coffers and provided coaches to train young talent, but nepotism, internal bickering among officials and dirty politics never allowed the foreign coaches to implement their plans.
ENCOURAGING:
Anyhow, during the last two years, the performance of national team was quite encouraging, but the present PFF leadership should not forget that they have a long way to go.
They should focus on eradication of past legacies and build a strong team capable to sustain pressures in important matches.
The PFF President has rightly opined that success against India for the NBP Cup in June did not mean that everything had been achieved. "We have still to go a long way and we should not rest till the success in the coming events, like the forthcoming 14th Asian Cup qualifiers and SAFF Championship."
"Both the assignments in 2005 plus the AFC Challenge Cup and 10th South Asia Games in 2006 are important for us and we are taking all out measures to train our side for attaining desired the results," said Faisal Saleh Hayat.
To achieve the goal, the PFF has acquired the services of Bahrain coach Sulaiman Ahmed to impart training to the senior national team for the forthcoming 14th Asian Cup qualifiers and SAFF Championship.
Sulaiman, along with national coach Tariq Lutfi, will chalk out plans and coaching strategy to build a strong team, to be selected from among the 63 players, who participated in the training camp from October 22 to 25 at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad.
According to camp commandant, the objective of inviting 63 players was to have a broader look on selection creating ample opportunity for each player to put up his best.
Besides, two more coaches from Bahrain will join Sulaiman, who has initially been engaged by the PFF for three months. A former member of Bahrain's national football team, Sulaiman is, at present, the official coach of his country's team.
Prior to the SAFF Championship in Karachi from December 7 to 17, Pakistan will clash with much stronger side Bangladesh in the home-and-away matches of 14th Asian Cup Football qualifiers on November 11 and 18.
OVERSEAS PLAYERS:
Meanwhile, Faisal Saleh Hayat said: "The PFF has opened up its gates for promising overseas players of Pakistani descent."
Referring to his contact with England's Fulham Club for release of Zeshan Rehman alias Zesh for 14th Asian Cup and SAFF Championship, he said, adding "We hope we will be able to have more talented overseas players in our side that
Will certainly give boost to Pakistan soccer."
Zesh will not be the first British Pakistani to play for Pakistan. Usman Gondal (Leicester City) got registered his name in the list of Pakistani internationals when he came as substitute for Abdul Aziz in the first Test of Pakistan-India series at Quetta on June 12.
Zesh has recently established himself at Fulham and could be about to make a huge impact in English soccer. His parents, Khalid and Farah, are from Pakistan and if he can continue his recent impressive form, he could become the role model for Asian footballers. According to reports, the PFF has also requested the foreign soccer followers to reveal how many Pakistani origin footballers were playing in Euro and Latin American Leagues.
For the first time in the nation's history, a PFF leader has realised the importance of involving Pakistan origin footballers in the national football.
Having a totally different mindset, with a perfect physical fitness, the Pakistan origin players will help the local players to hone their skill and the organisers to change their attitude towards the game.
Moreover, the PFF President's move to acquire the services of Pakistan origin players indicates introduction of professionalism in the game. If so, this is a welcome move and it is hoped the PFF would implement its plan for the betterment of the game and the players as well.
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