CM Sindh invites Portuguese coaches to train footballers in Lyari

Syed Murad Ali Shah discusses football with Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Neves Pocinho at the CM House

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to invite Portuguese football coaches to train budding footballers of Lyari, as he met Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Neves Pocinho at the CM House on Thursday, where they discussed football, renewable energy, and education exchange programmes.

Shah told Pocinho about the passion and talent of Lyari’s young footballers, adding that they could make a mark on the international stage if given professional training. “I want to provide them professional training so that they can perform at the highest level,” he said. When Pocinho expressed interest in the idea, Shah directed the provincial sports department to send an official invitation to Portuguese coaches to help train the young athletes.

Moreover, they both agreed to initiate student exchange programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students of different disciplines.

Shah also showed interest in Portugal’s latest technology for producing renewable energy and informed Pocinho about Sindh’s wind corridor, which is only producing 1,200MW of electricity despite possessing the capacity to generate 50,000MW. The ambassador stated that Portuguese companies would like to work in the renewable energy sector with the Sindh government.

Pocinho offered to launch a mother-child health programme in Badin, Qambar-Shahdadkot and Thar. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2020.