Football given green signal

KARACHI: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has added football to the list of sports that Pakistan will be represented in during the 2010 Asian Games in China after discussions with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) had refused to sponsor the team for the event with its chief Arif Hasan saying the association will not bear expenses of players from whom it has no hope of winning medals.

In contrast, the PFF felt that participation in the event will be beneficial for its players even if the team has no hope of winning a medal.

“It’s a golden chance for our footballers to get maximum exposure at international stage and we won’t waste the opportunity,” PFF Secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi told The Express Tribune before adding the team surprised everybody with its display in 2006 Asian Games. “You can’t write-off any team, our boys gave a tough fight to Japan and South Korea in Doha and the team may do wonders in Guangzhou also.”

The PFF will be bearing all expenses of the trip, according to the secretary.

“We have not received any response from the government and if the authorities refuse our request, then the PFF will arrange funds for the team.

“The POA has already given us the approval that we can go on our own and the Asian Games officials have also permitted late entry for the team so we’re on course.”

According to Lodhi, around Rs3.5 million will be spent on the tour.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2010.