Adil hopes to inspire Pakistan footballers
Midfielder awaiting results of trial with Maltese club
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan midfielder Mohammad Adil, who is awaiting the results of his trial with Maltese club Pembroke Athleta due to be announced on Monday, hopes to inspire other budding footballers to follow their dreams of pursuing a career in one of the lesser popular sports in Pakistan.
Hailing from Bahawalpur and selling sugar cane till the age of 14 to support his father, Adil, 23, has not only created ripples by being an integral part of the national team and becoming the first player from Pakistan to sign with Kyrgyzstan’s FC Dordoi, but is also hoping to become the first player from Pakistan to play in a European league.
“Just one day more is left for me to find out whether I can be a part of Pembroke Athleta FC,” Adil told The Express Tribune. “The journey itself has given me the confidence that a boy from Bahawalpur can also have a chance of playing in Europe, which has the best standard in football.”
Having spent a week with the Maltese Premier League club, Adil hopes to stamp a good image of Pakistani footballers in the football-mad country, which according to him has one of the best coaches and facilities.
“I hope this chance in Malta will also help me validate that Pakistan has talented footballers,” said the 23-year-old.
“Malta is a small country but everyone here is mad about football. I was surprised to see that they have four separate tiers of leagues for men, U17s, U14s, while even the women’s league has two tiers. The coaches here are extremely knowledgeable, professional and the facilities are amazing.”
Adil further stated that his goal is to move ahead in the European circuit if his stint goes well with the Pembroke outfit.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2016.
Pakistan midfielder Mohammad Adil, who is awaiting the results of his trial with Maltese club Pembroke Athleta due to be announced on Monday, hopes to inspire other budding footballers to follow their dreams of pursuing a career in one of the lesser popular sports in Pakistan.
Hailing from Bahawalpur and selling sugar cane till the age of 14 to support his father, Adil, 23, has not only created ripples by being an integral part of the national team and becoming the first player from Pakistan to sign with Kyrgyzstan’s FC Dordoi, but is also hoping to become the first player from Pakistan to play in a European league.
“Just one day more is left for me to find out whether I can be a part of Pembroke Athleta FC,” Adil told The Express Tribune. “The journey itself has given me the confidence that a boy from Bahawalpur can also have a chance of playing in Europe, which has the best standard in football.”
Having spent a week with the Maltese Premier League club, Adil hopes to stamp a good image of Pakistani footballers in the football-mad country, which according to him has one of the best coaches and facilities.
“I hope this chance in Malta will also help me validate that Pakistan has talented footballers,” said the 23-year-old.
“Malta is a small country but everyone here is mad about football. I was surprised to see that they have four separate tiers of leagues for men, U17s, U14s, while even the women’s league has two tiers. The coaches here are extremely knowledgeable, professional and the facilities are amazing.”
Adil further stated that his goal is to move ahead in the European circuit if his stint goes well with the Pembroke outfit.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2016.