Lahore, 2 Dec: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) announced their football team for the PFF League – Departmental Leg. They will clash with former National Champions Pakistan Railways in Group-B on Friday, 3 December 2010 at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad (11.30 AM). Earlier they lost 0-2 to PTV on 29 November and grabbed their first-ever win in the PFF events with 2-1 win over Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills on 1 December. Top two teams of both Group A and B will appear in Super League from 7-14 December 2010.
ZTBL appointed two former soccer stars as officials. Former PFF Chief Selector and international player of 60s, 70s Mohammad Younas Changezi will act as manager while coaching assignment will be under AFC AID-27 Financial Scheme coach Najeeb Ullah Najmi who lifted the winning trophy when Pakistan Air Force became the Champion of Pakistan only time 24 years ago. Assistant manager of the team is Masood Anwar Hamid while doctor is M. Usman Ali.
ZTBL erstwhile Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) is the premier financial institution geared towards the development of agriculture sector through provision of financial services and technical know how. The restructuring of former ADBP is being carried out with the aim to uplift the agriculture and rural sector by raising farm productivity, streamlining the institutional credit and increasing income generating capacity of the farming community. ZTBL was incorporated as a Public Limited Company on 14th December, 2002 through repeal of ADB Ordinance of 1961.
Skipper Ghulam Mohiuddin (Islamabad) will be assisted by Bilal Siddique, Mohammad Mubeen Yasir, Ansar Abbas, Waqar Shah (Rawalpindi), Waseem Ahmed, Adnan, Ejaz ( Karachi), keeper Arsalan Khan, Aamir Siddque ( Bannu), Abdul Hannan ( Sargodha), Izhar Ullah, Iftikhar Ali Khan (Chitral), Shahi Nawaz Khan (Lucky Marwat), Arsalan Azam, Waqas Ahmed (Kohat), Hikmat Ullah (Landi Kotal), Shakeel (Mansehra), Jehangir Khan (Lora Lai), Aamir Anwar, Naqeeb Ullah Khalil (Peshawar), Wajid Ali Bhatti (Mirpur, AJK) Mohammad Ehsan (Mandi Bahauddin), Mohammad Umer Iqbal (Nowshera) and Adeel Khalid (Faisalabad).
ZTBL will be the seventh bank to show their mettle in PFF events. HBL, NBP were the first two in early 80s, followed by MCB, SBP and UBL. ABL dominated the soccer scene from 1995 to 2004 and now it is turn of ZTBL to show their strength. The launching of ZTBL football team was mainly due to ZTBL President Muhammad Zaka Ashraf who assumed charge at ZTBL in September last year. “Agriculture sector of Pakistan has an immense potential to become a driving force to accelerate the pace of growth in the country’s GDP and to achieve the Government’s target to put the economy on a fast track and sound footings. Let us all join hands to be part of the green revolution and make Pakistan stronger and self sufficient in all walks of life.” added Zaka.