Majid hopes to improve futsal in Pakistan [Express Tribune]

Majid hopes to improve futsal in Pakistan [Express Tribune]

by Natasha Raheel

KARACHI: Former K-Electric coach Majid Shafiq, who has been recently selected to lead the Futsal Federation of Pakistan (FFP) in capacity of the chairman and has re-written the constitution of the futsal body, believes that the new direction that the futsal body is taking would help in improving the standard of the sport in the country.

“Futsal is a shorter format but it’s great when it comes to technical development of the players,” Majid told The Express Tribune. “I’ll be working as the chairman for FFP and there are two objectives: firstly to revamp the FFP and get the appointments of the office-bearers, and secondly to conduct a talent hunt for Pakistani players and take them to the UK for training.”

The FFP, which works independently from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), but is affiliated and registered with the World Association of Futsal and the Confederation of Asian Futsal, has been carrying out events in the country albeit on a limited scale.

Majid intends to break the trend and carry out events to unearth talent to improve in the shorter format, which involves advanced technical skills, and hopes that it could help improve the national side as well in the long run.

“Futsal is a separate sport. It has its own world championships and it is growing,” added Majid. “We are hoping that Pakistan will improve in this format and can maybe produce great footballers who can serve the national side in the longer format.”

Majid, who intends to start the talent hunt from January, believes that schools are the place to start as developing young players at that age is the most viable option.

“The youth will benefit from this sport the most,” said Majid. “We want futsal to spread across Pakistan and we would want different schools and universities to be a part of this.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2015.