Lahore, 20 October: “In order to put scattered boys/girls into firm platform, Academies are required. The base of football in most of the highly-reputed soccer countries revolved around Academies and if Pakistan want to gain height in soccer, more Academies, like Model Town Football Academy (MTFA), should erupt from Pakistan soil to take soccer to new height in this part of the world. It will take time, but the way MTFA’s head Mian Rizwan Ali is giving his valuable time to Academy it will certainly help Pakistani soccer in future. It is really a commendable effort,” this is stated by former English stopper Graham Roberts who visited MTFA. The 51-year-old former Yeovil Town FC (Somerset, England) and Clyde FC (Cumbernauld, Scotland) boss has accepted the post of PFF on 14 October after signing an initial two-months deal for a consultancy role.
MTFA is running on the modern scientific lines and made progress on the strong footings within the shortest span of five years, and earned reputation as one of the biggest Academies in World.
Graham was accompanied by Pakistan U23 team coach Akhtar Mohiuddin, Directors Clem Leech and Ahmer Kunwar of London-based TouchSky Sports whose initiative and coordination with PFF Marketing Department head Sardar Naveed Haider Khan paved the way for services of Graham for Pakistan Football.
The services of sponsors Spedition Services Ltd (Surrey, England) and TKC Restaurant (London) for soccer uplift in Pakistan will also be remembered for their part in the deal.MTFA President Mian Rizwan Ali thanked Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)’s President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat for the appearance of high-profile Graham at MTFA, established in 2005, for all boys and girls that wish to develop their soccer skills while having fun, in an environment that promotes self-esteem, team work and discipline. “ We adhere to a proven process to develop youth soccer players at any stage or ability level.
The MTFA coaches are highly experienced and have an established soccer background.” added Rizwan, the manager of PFF XI in 2007 at India.The mission of MTFA is to provide the youth of Pakistan with an opportunity to associate as sports fraternity and generally to advance, develop their football talents, polish skills and knowledge through training, use of professional instructors clinic, club competitions and organising tournaments competing with other existing youth sports organizations. Rizwan also introduced Graham with coaches and boys/girls of various Age-groups and also presented them souvenirs.
“As a footballer, the best I can do for youths in Pakistan is to give them a platform where they can learn how to play football and make a living out of it. It is my strongly-held belief that Academies play a crucial role in the development of not only football, but also other sports,”concluded Rizwan, Match Commissioner of ongoing Pakistan Premier Football League.
