Billionaire Khan, born in Lahore, took over the English Premier League club in a deal struck on Friday.
The 62-year-old vowed to build on the foundations left by previous owner Mohamed al Fayed, and Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) marketing director Sardar Naveed Haider urged him to look to Pakistan.
“We are trying to make a contact with him to request him to come to Pakistan and see the burgeoning talent in the country and get them an opportunity to groom at the Fulham academy,” Haider told AFP.
Pakistan were among the top Asian footballing nations until the 1970s, but lack of government support, poor playing facilities and the overwhelming popularity of cricket left the game in the doldrums.
They now sit at a lowly 167th in Fifa rankings – languishing below Bermuda, Palestine and the Solomon Islands – but Haider claims signs of improvement are visible.
“We definitely have talent at our disposal. Look at our structure in which our Under-14 and Under-16 teams are doing well,” he said.“We won the South Asian Under-16 title in Nepal in 2011 and will defend it later this month.”
Good talent present in Pakistan: PFF
British-born Pakistan international defender Zesh Rehman played for the Cottagers for several seasons, and Haider said there was more talent waiting to be unearthed.
“If Khan can send his scouts to Pakistan who can have a look at the football in the country and provide them with an opportunity and a facility at Fulham, it would be a great help and the boys are excited at the prospect of plying their trade abroad,” said Haider.
Football is particularly popular in Pakistan’s restive southwestern province of Balochistan, but poverty and poor security mean few young players get a chance.
Khan, who has US citizenship and who already owns the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, is ranked 179th in the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans, with an estimated worth of $2.5 billion. He made his fortune as a car parts manufacturer.
Haider said the fact Khan had taken over such a high-profile club would boost the game in Pakistan.
“It is very exciting for the football fraternity here that a Pakistani now owns top EPL club Fulham and we wish that under his ownership Fulham becomes a successful team.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (9)
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Insha Allah we will win the World Cup 2014 with Jaffar Khan hitting the winning penalty goal. Unless, of course, there's a conspiracy or something.
well it is not the job for Shahid Khan to tap out the talent, it is the job for the coach, he doesn't have a say, all he will do is to provide financial aid and look after promotions... yeah of coarse he can advice the coach to look at the talent in Pakistan... but it seems a lil bit difficult but lets see, we should not give up hope!
Dude: great hair for a 62 year old! What's your secret?
@C_Dose:
James Caan is a self-promoter and made his fortune (£100 million according to The Sunday Times Rich List) from selling his recuitment consultancy, Alexander Mann. He is nowhere in the same league as Shahid Khan.
There are other more talented, wealthy Pakistanis in the UK such as Sir Anwar Pervaiz- a Billionaire who has put his money where his mouth is and actually invested in Pakistan: UBL being a prime example.
James Caan does not even own a house in Pakistan so what is there to talk about?
Where is the football talent? Could PFF be more specific and give us names?
@Yasir Siddiqui
I cant say anything but to admit what you say is absolutely correct. There is another example, James Caan (Nazim Khan) Pakistani Born British millionaire who is an inspiration for many entrepreneurs around the world. Unfortunately, little is said about him in Pakistan
PFF Chief,
If you think Pakistan has talent then why are we bottom of the ranking. Why cant you provide them the facilities and groom these players, so international football society recognizes them. The problem is Pakistan Sport Ministry is corrupted and they believe in nepotism. YOu don't win championship by hiring foreign coaches.
For once, elect competent officials in the management and give them the change to manage the team the RIGHT WAY.
PFF Chief - I guarantee you if you change the "dont care culture" and bring honest sport minded people, you will see good result. The winning formula for anything you want to do in life - INTEGRITY, HONESTY and HARDWORK.. Try this, you will be amaze how powerful this is.
Love Pakistan
I study at the alma mater of Shahid Khan, The University of Illinois and I take serious issue with this.
No one I used to speak to back home recognized his name. Interesting considering he is the richest, most successful pakistani in the world, an example to follow for many young pakistanis.
Truth is pakistan never gave khan any importance or recognition to khan. And suddenly, he owns a football club and the PFF bow in praise and ask for his help. News flash : Khan is more american than pakistani. His fortunes have been granted to him by america and he acknowledges that. He is a businessman and he owes Pakistan nothing.
Also, the reason our players dont make it to the top international levels is because they are not good enough. Our govt does not give any importance to sports development. It is Pakistan's job to produce players and send them for trials abroad. Sad, but this is a typical pakistani move. "Now that a desi owns fulham, we can ask for favours". Are you kidding me. I sincerely hope that footballing standards improve here. I myself am a part of Karachi United FC, an orginization that has pushed and pushed to help develop football in Pakistan. But we have had issues because the government refuses to help us even get our own ground. These are the problems.
I admire Shahid khan and I hope he paves the way for more pakistanis to take the entrepreneurial route. However I have serious issue how suddenly everyone in this country has fallen in praise of a man who deserved it long ago just because he owns a football club.