In his extensive Lahore trip, FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC) staffer and veteran journalist Riaz Ahmed from Karachi also had a comprehensive interview with the Secretary of the Punjab Football Association and member of the General Congress of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Mr Khalid Mehmood Chaudhary at the Punjab FA offices located on Fame FC Football Ground in Model Town A&B Block, Lahore.
The Punjab FA secretary spoke in great detail with Riaz Ahmed, and expressed full confidence in making sure all the proposed events in the 2012 Activity Calender will bear fruit on time before the end of the year.
Khalid Chaudhary spoke about PFA’s desire to organise District Football Leagues across Punjab from 30 June 2012 onwards as well as the Lahore District League in early September.
Afterwards, the relevant District FAs across the province have been asked to formally submit names of respective district league champions that will then take part in the Punjab Football League in October 2012. This will be followed by holding a Pakistan Football League in November 2012.
On being asked how these activities will be funded, the secretary said that Punjab FA president Arshad Khan Lodhi has formally requested the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, for support and the Punjab Government has assured Punjab FA its full backing towards these football events in 2012.
The secretary also spoke about the details of the Lahore District League starting from early September onwards, saying that all affiliated and registered clubs from Lahore District shall be included in the league. The winning side will earn Rs 50,000, runners-up Rs 20,000, and 3rd place Rs 10,000.
The opening fixture will be played either at the Punjab University football ground or Railways Stadium in Garhi Shahue, Lahore. The semi-finals and final of the Lahore District League shall be played at Fame FC Ground in Model Town, Lahore.
The Punjab Football League in early October 2012 will feature the district football champions from across the province while the Pakistan Football League has been proposed for November 2012.
The Pakistan League will feature 2 teams from each province, with a total of 36 teams taking part. These teams will then be divided into 12 groups of 3 teams each, with the group winners then taking part in the Pakistan League final round.
On the pressing issue of paid general secretaries in provincial associations, Khalid Mehmood told of disagreements between the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and the provincial associations because PFF insistence on only approving secretaries appointed from the AFC AID-27 coaching panel and handing out the salaries due.
The Punjab FA president Arshad Khan Lodhi had presided over a general meeting in which all PFA members rejected the demands of the PFF General Secretary, Ahmed Yar Lodhi, and named Khalid Mehmood Chaudhary as the new Punjab FA secretary.
The secretary expressed his desire to fulfill all his duties honestly with commitment by taking into confidence the Punjab FA president, congress members, as well as officials from all DFAs across the province.
On behalf of Punjab FA, Khalid Mehmood Chaudhary also gave special thanks for FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC) webmaster Malik Riaz Hai Naveed and chief editor Ali Ahsan for their selfless service and dedication to promoting Pakistani football in Pakistan and around the world.
