Kaleemullah wins player of the year in Kyrgyzstan
The 22-year-old has surprised everyone, Kyrgyz and Pakistanis alike
The former KRL striker said that he is now looking to take his form into the AFC Cup with FC Dordoi. PHOTO COURTESY: KALEEMULLAH
KARACHI:
The exploits of Kaleemullah, Pakistan’s key striker, have helped him win the player of the year award in Bishkek after his debut season for FC Dordoi in Kyrgyzstan.
The 22-year-old from Chaman believes that the award is a statement from him and Pakistan football.
Kaleemullah won the golden boot with 22 goals after signing a Rs10 million contract with the Kyrgyz club last year.
“I fulfilled a promise that I made to myself,” Kaleemullah told The Express Tribune. “I told myself that I will prove my skills and show the world that Pakistan has footballing talent and all we need is exposure and opportunities.”
The former KRL striker added that he is now looking to take his form into the AFC Cup with FC Dordoi.
“I’m playing for the future. This award confirms that I have talent and that I need to stay focused,” he said. “I want to inspire players in Pakistan so that they don’t quit or get disheartened. This success is a success for Pakistan. I know my performances will take me to better clubs in Turkey or even Germany.”
He added that after the ceremony, Kyrgyzstan Football Federation officials praised him and urged their local players to improve on their game.
“The Kyrgyz officials were surprised because Pakistan is not even close to Kyrgyzstan in the FIFA rankings and never thought a player from a lower ranked nation can win the player of the year award in their country,” said Kaleemullah.
The striker added that he wants to see Pakistan take the 2016 World Cup qualifiers seriously, and is hoping that the team will get to showcase good players in the qualifiers.
“If the team manages to qualify for the main tournament, it opens the doors for players as well,” he added. “In international club football, it is the countries that dominate. Every club wants to hire a Brazilian or a German footballer, because the standard of these countries is so good.”
Kaleemullah will start training in Turkey from January 20 with FC Dordoi, and will play another friendly with the club against Turkmenistan on February 9.
The exploits of Kaleemullah, Pakistan’s key striker, have helped him win the player of the year award in Bishkek after his debut season for FC Dordoi in Kyrgyzstan.
The 22-year-old from Chaman believes that the award is a statement from him and Pakistan football.
Kaleemullah won the golden boot with 22 goals after signing a Rs10 million contract with the Kyrgyz club last year.
“I fulfilled a promise that I made to myself,” Kaleemullah told The Express Tribune. “I told myself that I will prove my skills and show the world that Pakistan has footballing talent and all we need is exposure and opportunities.”
The former KRL striker added that he is now looking to take his form into the AFC Cup with FC Dordoi.
“I’m playing for the future. This award confirms that I have talent and that I need to stay focused,” he said. “I want to inspire players in Pakistan so that they don’t quit or get disheartened. This success is a success for Pakistan. I know my performances will take me to better clubs in Turkey or even Germany.”
He added that after the ceremony, Kyrgyzstan Football Federation officials praised him and urged their local players to improve on their game.
“The Kyrgyz officials were surprised because Pakistan is not even close to Kyrgyzstan in the FIFA rankings and never thought a player from a lower ranked nation can win the player of the year award in their country,” said Kaleemullah.
The striker added that he wants to see Pakistan take the 2016 World Cup qualifiers seriously, and is hoping that the team will get to showcase good players in the qualifiers.
“If the team manages to qualify for the main tournament, it opens the doors for players as well,” he added. “In international club football, it is the countries that dominate. Every club wants to hire a Brazilian or a German footballer, because the standard of these countries is so good.”
Kaleemullah will start training in Turkey from January 20 with FC Dordoi, and will play another friendly with the club against Turkmenistan on February 9.