Pakistan hopes for visit from Cristiano Ronaldo

Minister says she will invite him and other Portugal’s sports heroes to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: To promote sporting, cultural and tourism ties between the two countries, Islamabad is likely to write to Lisbon to invite its sporting heroes to visit Pakistan, including footballing superstar and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

This was suggested by the Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Fehmida Mirza on Thursday during a meeting with the Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Neves Pochinho.

Pochinho had called on Dr Mirza at her office on Thursday where matters of mutual interests were discussed in the meeting with particular focus laid on the promotion of sports and tourism in the country.

Dr Mirza said that although both countries enjoy amicable relations and support each other on diplomatic forums, there is room for further strengthening ties between the two countries.

In this regard, she expressed her desire to invite renowned sporting personalities of Portugal to Pakistan.

“I hope [Cristiano] Ronaldo comes to Pakistan,” the federal minister said, adding, “We will arrange a conference and we can have him as a speaker, as this will be encouraging for our players.”

She added that she will officially write to Portugal’s secretary of state for youth and sports to invite him and Portugal’s sports heroes to Pakistan. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2020.