Former Lyari-based international players and referees have hailed Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)'s President Faisal Saleh Hayat for taking tangible steps in boosting football in rural and urban areas of Pakistan and making spell from 2003 to 2010 as "Golden Years of Pakistan Football."
Recent League played positive role to keep peace in Lyari
They called PFF-KESC Lyari Football League 2011 another milestone in Faisal's tenure that ended with Syed Khadim Ali Shah, SVP of SAFF and VP of PFF, presented Champion Lyari Town, Runner up Singolane, bronze-medalist Bihar prizes of Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively besides Gold, Silver , Bronze and glittering individual prizes and Rs 90,000 to all 16 participants.
People's Peace Committee Chairman Sardar Uzair Jan Baloch called the event milestone and said that it will help his Committee in their mission and such event would play a positive role in keeping peace not only in Lyari but throughout Karachi. Ali Nawaz praised PFF Chief's dedication, devotion, commitment and true love with football who pushed the football in such height that Australia had decided to support soccer of Pakistan. Australian High Commissioner Timothy George, announced development grant to PFF Youth Football Development Project in Lyari, he added.
It may be mentioned that Lyari is the hub of Pakistan football but most of the boys were unable to buy even their kits during set-ups of previous PFF. There was time in 50s, 60s, Lyari-based footballers were so much idolised in Dhaka that it was difficult for the players to walk through the markets, streets in Bangladesh because of their popularity.
PFF recognised Lyari`s potential and is leaving no stone unturned to uplift football in Lyari. "To groom the young talent of the football-crazy area, Lyari Football League will prove its worth," said former FIFA referee Abdul Shakoor.
Such supportive gestures from Faisal-led PFF will never be forgotten. Their love for Lyari and tremendous PFF-KESC Lyari Football League 2011, another milestone will go a long way in helping Pakistani football back on its feet," added Naushad Baloch, assistant to Tariq Lutfi in PIA football coaching staff.
Hassan Baloch, who was successful Pakistan U14 coach in Iran's Festival of Football last year said: "The standard of football deteriorated after the fall of Dhaka in 1971. Things have not looked up since then, both for football and for the town. But Faisal Saleh Hayat is going all out for prosperity of game and to regain past glory of Lyari."
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