Instead of two, six teams will be relegated from the PPFL this season, making the competition considerably tougher. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/ MOHAMMAD JAWED/ EXPRESS
The 10th edition of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) will kick off today with the players and coaches of the 16 participating teams believing that the season will bring the much-need improvement in the national championship this year.
One of the opening matches is scheduled to be played between PAF and ZTBL at the Model Town Football Ground in Lahore while the other will pit KPT against Navy in Karachi.
The league will also feature major contenders like KESC, Army, PIA, Wapda, NBP and defending champions KRL in the five-month event.
Although the PPFL was introduced by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in 2004, the domestic football structure failed to produce good players or attract key sponsors.
However, the current season will see six instead of two teams relegated from the league, leaving only 12 teams to compete in the next season.
Another change in the PFF’s policies will see the matches played at centralised venues in Karachi and Lahore. Chaman, Noushki, Peshawar and Islamabad will not host any matches of the current season.
Earlier, the league was based on a home and away basis.
Welcoming the change, Army coach Shafqat Mehmod said that the level of competition will rise with fewer teams.
“I have high hopes,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “These steps will mean that each team will fight harder which will push every club to play smartly. The overall standard of football will improve.
“I know my team can win the league this time, I have a new side with younger players and they will hopefully make it to the national team as well. This season will change a lot of things.”
Army will not be using their captain and goalkeeper Jaffar Khan, who is injured. However, Mehmood said that the seasoned’ footballer’s absence will motivate the rest of the players to try winning matches on their own.
Meanwhile, KESC captain and manager of new entrant Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency (Paca) Essa Khan said the government’s support is needed for the league to improve.
He pointed out that although foreign players are interested in joining Pakistan’s clubs, the interior ministry’s delay in issuing the No Objection Certificates is causing problems.
“We need foreign players to uplift the standard,” said Essa. “KESC have Nigerian striker Oludeyi Abayomi, but his visa wasn’t issued. Similarly, I roped in two players from Afghanistan to play for Paca but they too were unable to come here.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2013.
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If I have to believe the picture, it is being played in empty stadiums.