Chairperson, PFF women's wing committee, Robina Irfan has congratulated National Women Champions Young Rising Star Rawalpindi and Diya Women FC, Karachi for getting membership of the federation alongwith other clubs, thus increasing the PFF Congress strength.
She hailed efforts of PFF President, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat's work for women soccer and termed it as landmark. "Countries like Pakistan are free to promote women's soccer within the limits of their culture and religion. FIFA gave freedom to the individual countries to develop this sport among their womenfolk within the prescribed parameters of their culture and religion," said Robina, who is former Balochistan Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs. Due to commitment, dedication of Faisal Saleh Hayat women soccer had achieved fame in Pakistan's sports, she said.
PFF Congress also carried out elections for the first-ever PFF Women Committee with Robina Irfan and Farishtay Ali Sharifi were elected chairperson and Vice Chairperson, respectively. Both, Robina and Sharifi also earned honour of becoming PFF Congress members while Najma Naz (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Kiran Ilyas (Punjab) and Mezgaan Orakzai (Islamabad) were elected as members.
Robina Irfan has urged the sportswomen to participate in healthy outdoor activities for development and enhancement of their mental and physical capabilities. She hoped that bankers, services and teams like PIA, KRL, PEL etc, will form women teams for further promoting women football in this part of the world, and added that physically healthy players actively participate in the development of the country.
"The future of women football is bright and the registration of 42 clubs with PFF is also a healthy sign. The officials of local clubs are playing their part effectively while the birth of organisational teams will help us making mind for the Pakistan Premier Women Football League in near future, she said.
Robina said, "Currently, women soccer is under men's coaches and referees but now the time has come to prepare lady coaches and referees for providing solid platform. The emergence of 42 women clubs in short span is praiseworthy and PFF's step of National Club Championship will strengthen soccer. More clubs are needed in this regard and she hoped that by the end of 2011, sixty clubs will get affiliation from PFF." She believed that positive thinking, determination, hard work and devotion was the key to success in sports.