In the world of sports, some disciplines take center stage, captivating millions of fans worldwide. However, there are other sports that, although not as widely recognised, play a vital role in developing athletes and the sport as a whole. These supporting sports are the backbone of athletic development, providing a platform for players to hone their skills and eventually transition to mainstream sports.
One such sport is Socca, a variant of football that is slowly gaining popularity globally. While it shares some similarities with mainstream football, Socca has distinct rules and requirements that set it apart. Socca is played with seven players on each team, on a slightly larger pitch than its counterpart, futsal. This unique format presents a distinct set of challenges and opportunities for players to hone their skills.
According to Waleed, a coach of Socca, "The rules of soccer and futsal are entirely different." For instance, Socca uses a standard size 5 ball, whereas futsal employs a heavier, size 4 ball that bounces less.
Another significant difference lies in the player count and field size. Socca is played with seven players on each team, on a slightly larger pitch than futsal, which is played with five players on each team. Additionally, Socca has unique goalkeeper rules, allowing players to pass the ball back to the goalkeeper, who can only handle it within their box.
Waleed emphasises that understanding these rules is crucial for increasing the scope of Socca in Pakistan. "It's not just about playing; familiarity with the format is essential." This highlights the importance of Socca as a development platform for Pakistani footballers. By providing a unique set of challenges and requirements, Socca helps players develop skills that can be transferred to mainstream football.
In essence, Socca serves as a stepping-stone for athletes, allowing them to refine their skills and eventually transition to the national football team. As Pakistan's Socca team prepares to take on the world stage, it's clear that this supporting sport plays a vital role in shaping the country's football future.
Pakistan's Socca success
Pakistan's Socca team has been making waves in the international arena, with three World Cup appearances under their belt. The most recent outing was at the Socca World Cup in Oman, where Coach Waleed led the team. The team travelled to Oman with the help of English Biscuits Manufactures (EBM) who sponsored their tour at the very last moment. Reflecting on his experience, Waleed noted, "Having participated multiple times, I've observed key differences between this format and others, such as futsal."
As a coach, Waleed faced numerous challenges, but surprisingly, the players' skills weren't the primary concern. "Our players are capable – we've drawn matches against strong teams like France, a tournament contender, and narrowly lost to Poland, who should have reached the finals," he explained. The real issue lay in preparation and exposure. Waleed emphasised, "The lack of time to prepare significantly hampers performance. If we had just one more week, I firmly believe we could have made a noticeable impact."
Waleed elaborated on the challenges he faced, highlighting the differences between Socca and other formats. "The rules of soccer and futsal are entirely different," he said. "For instance, we have many talented futsal players in Pakistan who adapt well to the 7-a-side format. They are used to similar pitch dimensions, quick rotations, and maintaining composure under pressure."
However, despite the players' talents, Waleed stressed that the preparation process in Pakistan was fragmented. Unlike other countries, where league winners represent their nations, Pakistan's team was formed by selecting players from various formats. "We selected players from various formats: five from 11-a-side football and five from futsal. These players only had three training sessions together before being thrust into the World Cup environment," Waleed revealed. He stressed that this approach made it unrealistic to expect top-level performance.
"It's unrealistic to expect top-level performance under such circumstances," Waleed said. "Players need to train regularly in the specific format to build cohesion and understanding. Without that, they're at a disadvantage, no matter how talented they are individually."
Another misconception Waleed addressed was the availability of suitable fields in Pakistan. While it's true that there aren't many fields specifically designed for Socca, Waleed pointed out that fields with similar dimensions exist in major cities like Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. "The issue isn't the lack of fields but the lack of organised leagues and structured training sessions," he said.
Looking to the future, Waleed proposed a new approach to team selection. "Instead of directly picking players, start a league in cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. Bring the best teams from these leagues into a final competition. From this final competition, don't select the best team; instead, select the best individual players," he suggested. This process, Waleed believes, would ensure a stronger and more cohesive final selection, better equipped to take on the challenges of international Socca competition.
"When we initially took over the team, we didn't have much time to prepare. We simply selected players we believed were the best at the time. However, you learn from experience," Waleed reflected. "What I suggested is that the team should approach the selection process differently in the future."
Talking about the experience at the Socca World Cup, Waleed shared that the World Cup experience was a tremendous learning opportunity for him as a coach. “I was initially invited as an assistant coach, but when the head coach couldn’t make it due to visa issues, I had to step into the role entirely. The head coach had made plans for how the team should play, but without him, it was my responsibility to adapt quickly and manage everything.”
He added that this experience taught him a lot about preparing players, strategising for matches, and bringing the team together. However, he believed the initial player selection could have been better. “Given more time, the team could have performed exceptionally well. Despite the challenges, we had some strong performances after our first match against Turkey, which didn’t go in our favor. The players gained confidence from that point onwards, and their improvement was evident in subsequent matches,” he added.
Ismail Askani, President of the Pakistan Socca Federation, emphasized the significance of this achievement, "The team's participation in the Socca World Cup is a proud milestone in Pakistan's football journey. It underscores the immense untapped potential of our football talent and the unwavering dedication of these young athletes who have stood tall against some of the world's best."
He further added, that, EBM's steadfast support has been instrumental in paving the way for more young stars to rise and take Pakistan's football ambitions to even greater heights.
Kicking it up a notch
For many aspiring footballers, the dream of playing at an international level seems out of reach, especially for those who are not yet part of the national football team or are still at a junior stage. However, variants like Socca provide a platform for these players to showcase their skills on the global stage. These sports offer a unique opportunity for players to gain international experience, compete against top-notch teams, and develop their skills in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
For Zohair Altaf Godil, the journey to the Socca World Cup was a dream come true. With over a decade of football experience under his belt, Godil had represented his college, university, and club teams, winning numerous tournaments across Pakistan. As the captain of the SA Gardens Futsal team, one of the best in Lahore and among the top in Pakistan, Godil had already made a name for himself in the national football scene.
However, the opportunity to represent Pakistan on the international stage was a different story altogether. "I've been playing at the national level for the past six to seven years, participating in tournaments across Pakistan. However, I never had the opportunity to represent Pakistan on an international stage," Godil shared. "As a futsal player, it was a dream to represent my country, and the Socca World Cup offered the perfect stage."
Godil's journey to the Socca World Cup began with a two-week camp in Karachi, where 27 to 28 players trained. Out of them, 13 were selected for the final squad that traveled to Oman to participate in the tournament. "Representing Pakistan at this level was not only a matter of pride but also an incredible learning experience," Godil reflected.
The Socca World Cup was a daunting challenge, with 40 teams from across the globe competing for the top spot. Godil and his team had the chance to compete against some of the best footballing nations, including France, Poland, Haiti, and Turkey. One of the highlights was playing against France, which included legendary player Djibril Cissé, who previously played for Liverpool. "Drawing against such a strong team was a proud moment for all of us," Godil said.
Despite the team's valiant efforts, Godil acknowledged that there were areas for improvement. "Our journey was filled with valuable lessons. While we had a good game against France and even managed a draw, there were defeats that showed us the areas we need to improve," he shared. "The teams we competed against had been training together for over a month, whereas we had only 8-10 days to prepare. Building better chemistry and rhythm through longer camps and more friendly games will be crucial for better results next year."
Godil emphasised the importance of the Socca World Cup experience, not just for himself, but also for the development of Pakistani football as a whole. "The Socca World Cup is played in a 6-a-side format, which differs significantly from the traditional 11-a-side game. This shorter format is fast-paced and challenging, but it also provides valuable experience and confidence," he explained. "Competing on this platform can help players grow individually and contribute to the development of a national football team."
One key takeaway from Godil's experience was the need for a structured league in Pakistan, similar to what exists in other countries. "Many nations have 6-a-side soccer leagues where the best players and teams are identified, providing a robust pipeline for national team selection," he pointed out. "If we can establish such a league in Pakistan, it will enhance competition across cities and create a stronger pool of players for future tournaments."
However, despite his passion for the sport, Godil's future in football is uncertain. At 28 years old, he's dedicated the past decade to football, but he doesn't see himself pursuing it as a career due to the lack of opportunities in Pakistan. "Unfortunately, Pakistan lacks a proper football system, making it difficult for players to earn a living from the sport," he lamented. "I sincerely hope that we can develop a government-supported structure where players are given opportunities to showcase their talent and build sustainable careers, as seen in most parts of the world."
Godil believes that Socca, particularly the 6-a-side format, has the potential to play a significant role in creating these opportunities. "It offers a platform for players to compete at an international level, gain valuable experience, and grow both personally and professionally," he said. With the right support and infrastructure, Godil is optimistic that Socca can help pave the way for a brighter future for Pakistani footballers.
Overcoming obstacles
Pakistan's Socca team faced numerous challenges on their journey to the Socca World Cup, but one of the most significant hurdles w as securing sponsorship. Despite their efforts, they were unable to find a sponsor for their tour, and it was only through the support of English Biscuits Manufacturers (EBM) that they were able to participate. "If EBM wasn't there, we would have missed this opportunity," Waleed acknowledged.
The lack of sponsorship is a major obstacle for football in Pakistan, and Waleed emphasised the importance of attracting sponsors who are willing to take a long-term approach. "Football has evolved globally over the past decade, but here, we often approach tournaments just a month or even weeks in advance," he noted. "Sponsors must start investing at the grassroots level in every city and support development consistently."
Waleed stressed that timely preparation is crucial for success in football. "The late preparation was a major challenge," he said. "If we had more time to train and strategise, we could have easily moved from the group stage to the knockout stage." He emphasised that exposure is key, and that Pakistani players lack the experience of competing at high levels. "Pakistan doesn't have a competitive football environment, so expecting players to perform without proper preparation is unrealistic."
Despite these challenges, Waleed believes that the Socca format is crucial for Pakistan. "It provides exposure and builds confidence," he explained. "Investing in these formats can uncover talent that will eventually shine for the country." He cited the example of an NGO like Muslim Hands, which has been supporting a 7-a-side format and has produced players who have gone on to represent the national team.
However, Waleed acknowledged that the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is currently not functional, and that FIFA does not recognise the Socca format. "As such, the PFF does not support or invest in it," he noted. Nevertheless, Waleed believes that formats like futsal, beach football, and 7-a-side football still contribute to the sport's growth, and that the lack of recognition from PFF shouldn't discourage investment in these areas.
Stepping stone to greatness
As the Pakistan Socca team's journey came to an end, Coach Waleed reflected on the experience, calling it "enlightening for everyone involved—players, coaches, and management alike." Despite the challenges they faced, Waleed believes that with the right preparation and investment, the potential for success in formats like Socca is immense.
For Waleed, the key to success lies in proper preparation, exposure, and investment in the 7-a-side format. "With proper preparation, exposure, and investment in the 7-a-side format, Pakistan can compete at a high level," he emphasised. "The talent is here; it's the system and opportunities that need to catch up."
Godil, the team's captain, echoed Waleed's sentiments, stressing the importance of passion and dedication for young players. "To the younger generation, my advice is simple: play with your heart and enjoy the game," he said. "When you play with passion and sincerity, you improve faster and grow as a player."
Godil's advice is rooted in his own experiences, having dedicated over a decade to football. He knows firsthand the importance of maintaining a healthy routine, staying dedicated, and grabbing every opportunity to develop skills. "Representing your country on an international stage is a beautiful feeling, and I hope the younger generation continues to pursue their dreams with determination and pride," he said.
With the right mindset, support, and investment, Pakistani players can achieve greatness and make their country proud. As Coach Waleed aptly put it, "I sincerely hope that efforts continue to grow football in Pakistan at all levels." With dedication, passion, and the right opportunities, the future of Pakistani football looks brighter than ever.