Playing football for peace [The News]

Sports Correspondent – The News

KARACHI: District Football Association (DFA) Malir is likely to send its team to India in the next couple of months to play a three-match series against Jaipur Football Club, it was learnt on Friday.

Jaipur FC are expected to extend a formal invitation to former FIFA referee Iqbal Junior in the near future.

“Jaipur FC’s chief executive Robin Xavier had a chat with me on facebook and had invited me for sending a team for a three-match series, ,” Iqbal told ‘The News’ here on Friday. “I told him he would have to formally invite us for the series. Robin told me that they planned to hold the series in February-March. We would be extended a formal invitation after their club meeting.”

Iqbal said that they would only proceed further after getting an invitation from Robin. “After we get a formal invitation we will seek permission from Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and Sindh Football Association (SFA). We have already communicated with the Aman Ki Asha and hopefully they will extend us their full support. After fulfilling several formalities we will give Aman Ki Asha passports of the players and officials and they will help us take clearance from the government,” said Iqbal.

“Our tour to India will help promote peace between the two countries and I believe sports can play a major role in this regard,” said Iqbal, who is also a member of the technical committee of the DFA Malir.

Iqbal said trials would be held for picking a team for the tour after they got the green signal from his Indian friend. “It will be a DFA Malir team which will visit India but if we feel the need we may also induct players from DFA South,” said Iqbal.

Jaipur FC, founded in 2010 with the aim to groom football players in Jaipur and Rajasthan, are affiliated with District Football Association (DFA) Jaipur.

This correspondent learnt that in the past Lyari Kickers and Makran Sports Club have toured India.