From school to the national football team

Federation planning ahead with Australian grant.

KARACHI: Powered by a grant from the Australian Sports Commission, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is planning to groom talented players in government schools in Sargodha and Faisalabad.

The PFF, which is organising tournaments in the two cities through the Australian Sports Outreach Programme (ASOP), received a Rs1.5-million grant and conducted events in Gilgit-Baltistan and Karachi last year. According to the programme manager for the region Mohammad Habib, also the national youth team coach, the plan is aimed at recruiting government school children. Habib added that the eight-school event has helped the PFF select 25 boys, aged 14 to 18, who will join the national camp later this year.

“We are certain  about where we are going to get the players from,” Habib told The Express Tribune. “There are exceptional players and a lot of talent. Children study at government schools, work in the night to support their families but have the passion for football. That’s what we need for the Pakistan national team in the future.  “Children from private schools have all the facilities but lack passion. We are looking for good players, not good jugglers who can perform tricks with the ball.” Habib added that students will benefit from the programme as the Australian body has also expressed interest in taking responsibility.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2012.