Yousuf, Yaqoob join list of camp absentees

Denmark-based brothers Yousuf and Yaqoob Butt will not be part of Pakistan squad for the Asian Games.

KARACHI: Denmark-based brothers Yousuf and Yaqoob Butt will not be part of the Pakistan squad for the Asian Games to be held in China as they will be representing their clubs in the Danish football season.

“We were all set to come but our Pakistan passports have expired and the Danish season has started so we cannot participate in the Asian Games this time,” Yousuf told The Express Tribune. The goal-keeper will represent Hellerup Idræts Klub while the 23-year-old Yaqoob, a defender, is part of the Jaegersborg BK club.

The duo was among the list of 10 foreign players who showed interest in representing Pakistan at the event but only two UK-based players, Shani Qayyum of Sheffield Wednesday Youth, and Nottingham’s Fraaz Ahmed, have reported to the camp so far.

“It’s a great honour to wear the Pakistan jersey in any international event, [but] right now I need some time and consult with my club,” said Yousuf before adding that he and his brother would need another two weeks to finalise their entry but the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is due to announce the 20-member Asian Games squad on October 20. “I was also told that the registration deadline has passed so the Asian Games are over for me.”

Meanwhile, the head coach of the under-23 team for the Asian Games Akhtar Mohiuddin said he was disappointed at the duo’s unavailability but hoped another UK-based player Atif Bashir would be able to join the camp that began its second phase on September 18.

“I believe we need these foreign players,” said Mohiuddin. “Not because I don’t trust the local talent but because of the experience these players bring with them. However, I can say that the locals are more enthusiastic now and have shown improvement since Shani and Fraaz have arrived.”

The coach added that Yousuf’s absence is a blow since Jaffar Khan is the only talented goal-keeper Pakistan can bank on for the Asian Games. He added that foreign players were contacted by the PFF four months ago and while all of them had agreed to play for Pakistan, they have not been able to come due to expiration of passports, visa issues or conflicting dates with their club season.

However, the coach is still enthusiastic about Pakistan doing well in the Games and has planned to organise matches with Wapda and Khan Research Laboratories as practice.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2010.