The current set-up of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) achieved another milestone when FIFA gave inclusion to Pakistan Women football team properly in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking. "Under dynamic leadership of PFF President, we have worked hard for six years to build up women's football and the appreciation from FIFA means very much to us and will inspire us to do even better," Robina Irfan, Chairperson of PFF Women Committee said.
Robina said: "During 11th South Asian Games in February 2010, we played against India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and FIFA accommodated us in Provisional ranking only as the ranking of a team is deemed official when they have played at least 5 matches against teams with an official ranking. We remained provisional when the lists were issued on 28 May, 13 August and 19 November 2010. But four matches in Coxs Bazaar's SAFF Championship, with Mehwish Khan becoming first ever goal scorer for Pakistan, lifted us to an official slot when the Ranking was issued on 18 March 2011. We are now 121 in World and 22 in Asia."
According to her, PFF has been highly active in boosting women's football since 2005. "FIFA and AFC has assured all kind of support and inclusion of our National Women team in world ranking is great achievement for us and one day we will be able to get title of AFC Association of the Year, an award given to country in recognition of its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game within their country particularly in the areas of (but not limited to): Grassroots and youth development, Clubs and national league development, Participation in continental and world-wide competitions, Professionalism and governance," she added.
It may be noted that the FIFA Women's World Rankings for football were introduced in March 2003, as follow-on to the existing FIFA World Rankings for men. FIFA Women's World Rankings attempt to compare the strength of internationally active teams at any given time.
She said women's football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Asia and it is high time women practitioners of the game received separate and suitable recognition - on par with the men. Gone are the days when the women's version was considered a pale and inferior shadow of the men's game in our continent. She called PFF President's work on Women soccer is a milestone. She said: "PFF has made great strides in women's football due to dedication of PFF chief. His decision to hire a full-time administrator dedicated to the women's game has helped to open up competition and education doors for female footballers and officials in the country."
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