SPORTS WORLD: PFF plans to introduce professionalism in national soccer

With the opening of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) gates for promising overseas footballers of Pakistani origin, the PFF, it seems, is determined to introduce professionalism in the most neglected game of the masses.
To begin with, the PFF is reported to have contacted England's Fulham Club for release of Zeshan Rehman alias Zesh for the 14th Asian Cup and SAFF Championship.
Zesh will not be the first British Pakistani to play for Pakistan. Earlier, Usman Gondal of Leicester City played as substitute for Abdul Aziz in the first Test of Pakistan-India series at Quetta on June 12.
Zesh has recently established himself at Fulham and could be about to make a huge impact in English soccer and his impressive performance proved a role model for Asian footballers in England.
Moreover, the PFF is also in search of foreign soccer players of Pakistani origin playing in Europe and Latin American Leagues.
With the intention of boosting the standard of the game in the country and to attract young players to the game, the PFF, ahead of the 11-day eight-nation SAFF Championship, starting in Karachi from December 7, plans to introduce contract system.
The PFF move was widely hailed by the game organisers and players, who opined that this would certainly give a boost to Pakistan soccer.
Former captain of national team Ghulam Rabbani (1960-61) said Faisal Saleh Hayat deserved all praise for this tremendous step. Never before in the 57-year history of the game, the PFF bothered to take such a decision to promote soccer and welfare of the players, he said, adding: "It is for first time in the PFF entire history that the PFF came to rescue the game and help the players financially. The man behind such glorious decisions is Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is doing remarkable work as the PFF boss, rekindling the hope for a better future of the game and the players."
However, the PFF will not only provide bread and butter to the players, but will also encourage them concentrate on their game, he said.
PLAN OUTLINED:
Outlining the plan, PFF President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat said initially the PFF had decided to award central contracts to nine players, who had performed well for Pakistan in the international soccer.
At the same, he set certain condition for contract footballers, and laid emphasis on the conduct and strict discipline. " The conduct and strict discipline will be one of the main factors to select the footballers," he added.
In the past, the game suffered a lot due to power struggle in the PFF and inept attitude of its leadership, forcing the youngsters to keep away from football.
The PFF President said the contracted players would have a peace of mind and would feel financially comfortable, as they remain in the employment of the PFF, which would allow them to accept foreign Assignments.
He, however, warned that the PFF would not spare found indulging in undisciplined.
"The players are required to regular in the national team camps and practice sessions to ensure their eligibility for much more incentives, besides monthly salaries. But they will be discounted on frail display or elimination from national team," he said.
The PFF President said the idea of central contract was to pick the best available talent in the country.
PAY CATEGORIES: The central contracts, effective from October 1, will be divided into two pay categories. While the Grade-I players will get Rs 5,000 per month, the Grade-II players Rs 4,000. Besides, the players will be entitled to daily allowances other facilities during camps and events.
"The amount offered to the players is meagre, but it is beginning and the PFF will hopefully increase in time to come," said Faisal.
Those awarded contract in Category I are: current national team skipper Jaffar Khan (Army), former national skipper Tanveer Ahmed (Wapda) and Muhammad Essa (Afghan Club).
The following are in the Category II: opportunist striker Imran Hussain, who enabled Pakistan Army to win the national soccer title for the third time in October with 21 goals, along with team-mates Muhammad Imran, Ejaz Ahmed and Zahid Hameed (Wapda), Atiqur Rehman (KRL) and Farooq Shah (NBP).
All these nine players put up fine display in the first-ever Pakistan-India Series in June .
The PFF has asked the selected players to submit their bank account numbers for the disbursement of amount on monthly basis.
AFC U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP Recognising the importance of Karachi and its contribution to the game, PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat has announced to establish International Football House in Karachi, which will have well-equipped gymnasium and other facilities related the game.
He said the proposed Football House would have the facilities of hostel for the players coming from various parts of the province to attend the coaching sessions.
He also announced to upgrade and renovate the Peoples Stadium before the start of the SAFF Championship, and added that the Provincial government had also him to make the event successful.
Football lovers in Karachi have lauded the PFF efforts to revive the game in Karachi and the interior of Sindh.
They expressed the hope that the SAFF Championship would negate the views of the foreign teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa that Karachi was not a safe place for organising big sports events.