Bilal Ashraf to host 2019 World Soccer Stars starring Kaka, Figo

Actor says he is excited to interact with football legends on personal level

KARACHI: The stage is set for the Brazilian legend Ricardo Kaká and Portuguese icon Luis Figo to visit Pakistan this month for TouchSky Group's (TSG) World Soccer Stars 2019 event that will take place in Karachi and Lahore.

The duo will arrive in Pakistan on January 10.

TSG has signed actor Bilal Ashraf as the official host for World Soccer Stars 2019 (WSS 19), where the event will serve as a platform that will see two of the biggest names in football’s history play for the first time in Pakistan.

According to the press release, WSS 19 aims to uplift football in Pakistan and will see use of interactive coaching clinics that will be assessed by some of the best international footballers as well. It will also offer a gateway to football talent at grass-root level to recognise their skills.

While Pakistani fans are thrilled to see the biggest names in football to visit the country, Ashraf picked his favourite moments of the two stars.

"I think one of Figo's favourite goals/moments for me was watching this game which was in 2000. It was against England... Portugal versus England. Figo was literally like one-man show, taking the ball all the way, he had taken several shots from really far away," Ashraf told The Express Tribune.

Guess who is coming to PAKISTAN 🇵🇰??? @KAKA @LuisFigo @wssofficial2019 @WSSOFFICIAL2019 @TouchSkyGroup1 #karachi #lahore #kaka #figo #wssofficial2019 #worldsoccerstars #paksoccer #bilalashraf #ashrafbilal #football pic.twitter.com/NOP39SQW1w

— Bilal Ashraf (@IamBilalAshraf) January 5, 2019

He recalled his favourite moment of the Brazilian legend too: "And Kaká had this fantastic goal against Croatia in 2006 which I do remember so yeah, I mean there are tons of favourite moments but these are the best ones that I remember."

All eyes will be set on Ashraf too as the host and many football fans would want to be in his shoes as he will be interacting with Kaká and Figo up close and personally.

Ashraf said that he will be preparing for WSS 19 by brushing up his football skills too, and he is not at all nervous.

"To be honest, of course, I would be happy than being nervous. First of all I need to brush up my football skills," said Ashraf. "I do play football once in a while but, yeah, and that is something that I need to do. Apart from that, I know the players will be playing against me, so I hope and I wish that I can learn some tips from them. The idea is more of to bring football home, to Pakistan, and something new and exciting for everyone.

“And I am extremely excited, I mean, Kaká, Figo, massive, massive football players. It is going to be great, I'm looking forward to it, it is something I haven't done before, so it is great opportunity to see these guys up close and personal, and to see how they are as people, of course we all know how they are as players, but to interact with them on a personal level is what I'm looking forward to."

He added that WSS is a great initiative that will push football up the ladder, as Pakistanis follow football World Cup and leagues religiously, but more so football is an accessible sport, all a fan and an aspiring player needs is a ball, and everyone plays football. The passion for football is impressive like it is in Lyari, Karachi for example.

But he was quick to say that WSS 19 will inspire the youth further and bring positive change for Pakistan although Pakistanis do not follow the national or international level as much.

"It is great for all those people who are aspiring to be footballers, all those who would like to have association with football, it is going to bring positive change for Pakistan. I think it is going to take some time, but it is headed in the right direction with the WSS," said Ashraf.

The international event is the brainchild of UK-born Ahmer Kunwar. He is the CEO of TSG.

WSS 19 is not just a sporting event, but a platform which will catapult Pakistan to international markets and promote the country’s soft image in the process.

The press statement also added that with a series of international matches from April 26-29 taking place in Lahore and Karachi, World Soccer Stars promises to be the greatest football spectacle in Pakistan.

Football fever will be at an all-time high in Pakistan as other global players will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Earlier, Kaká and Figo had sent out messages to Pakistanis.

Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning squad member, Kaká had said in his message, “I am delighted to visit Pakistan and play an instrumental role in promoting and helping football in the country. I have never been to Pakistan so I am really excited to come and play football whilst helping unearth hidden talent.”

While Figo wished Pakistanis a happy new year in Urdu in his video, “It’s exciting to see another emerging country in Asia embrace football.  I’m certain in a population of 220 million there must be huge potential waiting to emerge into the international scene.”