Roberts to address press conference today

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Former English footballer Graham Roberts is scheduled to arrive in Lahore early on Wednesday (today) morning to begin his stint with the Pakistan football team as a coaching consultant.

An official of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) told ‘The News’ on Tuesday that Roberts will address a press conference on Wednesday at the PFF headquarters in Lahore.

“It’s a bit of an experience for me but I’m looking forward to it,” Roberts told BBC London in an interview.
Former Yeovil and Clyde manager Roberts — who won six caps for England in the 1980s, has been hired initially for two months by the PFF through sponsors.

PFF will only be responsible to give the English License B coach boarding and lodging facilities.

Roberts is said to have turned down the opportunity to work in England and is said to take up the role with Pakistan. “It’s nothing to do with money. I had a chance to have an interview for two jobs in England and I turned them down because I wanted to have a chance of doing this,” he stated.

“I want a challenge. I’m not an easy-going person and I just thought if I can do this, other things will come my way anyway,” he said. “Because Pakistan have had bad publicity with cricket, I think this is a good opportunity to go there and rebuild Pakistan football.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Akhtar Mohiuddin said that he would not feel uneasy while working with Roberts. “I think, we both will be able to make good coordination, which will help the team to improve ahead of the Asian Games,” Akhtar said.