Palestinian football team would visit to Pakistan for soccer series, which will be a landmark in history of Pakistan football. This was stated by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)'s President Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat onSunday. The Iran, South Korea, UAE, Sri Lanka, Syria and Saudi Arabia have also showed their interest to face Pakistan football team in coming season," he said.
During a media briefing here at the FIFA Football House on Sunday, Faisal said: "Over the last seven years, Pakistani football had collected an unprecedented increase in alertness and accreditation at both home and abroad. We have made significant progress in the promotion and development of football in Pakistan and are optimistic about its gaining more popularity in years ahead."
Faisal also congratulated Pakistan U-14 football team for their stubborn, committed and high-spirited display in beating South Asian neighbours India, the Maldives, Bangladesh and drew with Iran and ever-improving Nepal in AFC U-14 Festival of Football (South Asia Region) 2010.
He also praised the effort of female footballerd as they earned semi-final spot in only their second international assignment during SAFF Women Championship at Bangladesh and Pakistan U-23 team for getting points in China's Asian Games for the first time since 1974.
He said Pakistan football is on right path and Australia and South Korea had decided to support soccer of Pakistan. Australian High Commissioner Timothy George had announced Australian $18,000 sports development grant to PFF while FIFA Vice President Dr Chung Mong-joon had donated 400,000 dollars for victims of the recent devastating floods in Pakistan.
Also AFC Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Faisal Saleh Hayat thanked FIFA President Sepp Blater, AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam and FIFA Vice President Dr Chung Moon-Joon (South Korea) FIFA Development Officer Vernon Manilal Fernando, for all their love with Pakistani people in grinding out six Goal Projects for PFF.
About future programmes, he said PFF has planned friendly matches against Palestine in between the Olympic Qualifier, with two matches in both nations, followed by 4th AFC Challenge Cup (11-26 March), 7th AFC President's Cup with Wapda in the frame (May), 9th SAFF Championship (October-November), 15th Asian U16 Championship, 20th World Cup QR (November-December) and 37thAsian U19 Championship (Dec).