Lahore, 14 April : ‘“PFF is committed to implement Vision Asia’s principles of football development in systematically developing the game in Pakistan. We have taken a lot of positives from the Vision Asia principles. It will help us set up a systematic development plan not only for players but also for coaches and referees. Vision Pakistan’ priority is to improve the country’s level of football. Pakistan football made a giant leap when it was steered into Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Vision Asia plan,” stated by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)’s President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat when the collaboration between the PFF and AFC Vision Asia was successfully launched last night with the first stage in Pakistan’s Vision Asia program took place.
AFC representatives Imtiaz Ur Rehman visited FIFA Football House, Lahore for a pre-assessment visit and the meeting, chaired by Faisal Saleh Hayat, also attended by FIFA Assistant Development Officer Mohsen Gilani, PFF General Secretary Lt. Col. (R) Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi, Director Operation (Wng Cmdr) Pervaiz Saeed Mir, PFF Women Wing Chairperson Robina Irfan. “The objective of the meeting was to prepare PFF for a successful Assessment Visit, which is scheduled for June 2009. During the week-long assessment visit, the Vision Asia team will assess the status of football in Pakistan,” said lodhi.
PFF Chief pledged his commitment to Vision Asia and its principles of development and identified professionalisation of its administration and re-structuring of its competitions as key targets. PFF adopted FIFA approved statutes in March 2007 and is keen to strengthen its structure and administration.
During AFC Annual Awards 2008 Gala at the Shanghai (China), AFC President Mohammed bin Hamman Hammam awarded PFF the Vision Asia – 15th country in line to be part of the AFC’ Vision Asia program and among the few countries in 2009 for AFC Vision of Asia . “Vision Asia is the creation of AFC President, who launched the program in September 2002.It is the AFC’s grand plan for a continent-wide program to raise the standards of Asian football at all levels, be it on the field of play, administration or sports science,” explained Lodhi.
PFF Chief praised AFC’s Vision Asia project saying it will help in the development of grassroots and youth football across the continent. “We are getting a lot of support from the AFC Vision Asia team and we are planning to host some of the courses this year.
Faisal confidently believes that the huge population of Asia has the capability to create world-class football teams that may someday be a winner in the prestigious World Cup, Olympics and World Club Cup, World age-limit cups, where the world’s best football nations congregate.
The mission of this development program is “to increase the football playing base, ensure a positive and enjoyable life experience for children and young adults by implementing programs and activities that raise the standard of performance overall and support the development of each individual player within the game of football in all Asian countries.” said AFC Delegate Imtiaz who added that the priorities of Vision Pakistan are creating strong clubs, establishing an elite national-level league, developing better coordination between stakeholders to enhance youth competitions and increasing opportunities for referees at provincial level.
Faisal confidently believes that the huge population of Asia has the capability to create world-class football teams that may someday be a winner in the prestigious World Cup, Olympics and World Club Cup, World age-limit cups, where the world’s best football nations congregate.
“The initial focus of the project will be on five key Vision Asia elements of Administration of PFF, Competitions & Clubs, Grassroots & youth development, coach education and referees development. The PFF was also informed of the field visits, preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies and meetings with the Education and Sports Ministries that will be organized during the visit,” concluded Lodhi.