Pakistan’s Acting President, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, has made a firm commitment to overhaul the nation’s football governance and align its operations with international standards, following a crucial meeting on Wednesday with the head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Shaikh Salman Ebrahim Hamid Al Khalifa.
The high-level discussion at Aiwan-e-Sadr addressed the urgent need to revitalize the sport within the country. The AFC delegation included its president, who is also a Senior Vice President of FIFA and a senior member of the Bahraini Royal Family, along with AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John and Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani.
During the talks, Acting President Gilani vowed to ensure the effective functioning of the PFF, bringing it in line with AFC and FIFA regulations. This move is seen as a critical step toward resolving long-standing administrative issues within Pakistani football.
He emphasized the strategic importance of engaging the nation’s youth, which constitutes a majority of the population. Gilani stated that expanding access to sports, particularly football, is a government priority to channel the energy of young people productively.
A formal request for assistance was made to the AFC to help upgrade football infrastructure and establish a network of youth academies across Pakistan. The Acting President noted that such support would be immensely valuable in fostering new talent.
The dialogue also centered on the necessity of reviving domestic tournaments to create a competitive local circuit. This, he articulated, would provide a platform for Pakistani players to gain experience and secure opportunities to compete at regional and international levels.
Concluding the meeting, Gilani expressed his gratitude for the AFC’s sustained engagement and backing for the revival of football in Pakistan, reaffirming the nation’s resolve to collaborate closely to promote the sport and enhance people-to-people connections through sports diplomacy.