PFF launches Vision 2020 Plan

LAHORE - The Pakistan Football Federation has in its annual congress meeting has laid down a Vision 2020 plan. Addressing a press conference, PFF President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat said that their main target is to complete the SAF Games hat-trick next year when Dhaka will stage the 11th South Asian Games. "We will develop strong Pakistan U-23 team to give us third gold on the trot after triumphs in 2004 and 2006." Faisal chaired PFF Congress after he presided over the PFF Executive Committee Meeting in the morning at FIFA Football House Saturday. "By virtue of those two gold-medal triumphs, Pakistan became the most successful nation of South Asian Games' 24-year history, sprinted past India's three golds. Pakistan earlier won the gold in 1989, 1991 and 2004. "I feel cheerful that last two triumphs in 2004 and 2006 appeared during my reign," said Faisal. He also approved ambitious PFF Vision 2020 Plan which will create opportunity for the PFF in earning berth in top 15 Asian teams as well earning tickets to the World Cup, Olympics and FIFA age-limit competitions in next five to seven years. During the PFF congress, Faisal congratulated PFF's SVP Zahir Shah and PFF Women Wing Chairperson Robina Irfan for earning slots in provincial ministry. He said that it confirmed that PFF is composed of persons having solid background. The PFF Chief also praised PFF's Marketing Director Sardar Naveed Haider for his valuable contribution and also expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Maqsood Mir, brother of PFF Director Operation Pervez Mir. The house discussed the poor performance of Pakistan national team in second AFC Challenge Cup at Chinese Taipei and 7th SAFF Championship at Male and noted the flaws for rectification in future assignments. "We have called former international skippers, referees, coaches to give us concrete and merit-oriented suggestions for debate on promotion of football in Pakistan and a sub-committee has been formed under Zahir Shah which will gather all the documents of these suggestions and comments and they will finalise their report for the PFF to proceed with firm activities in future," he said. Faisal pledged to continue his drive to youth development, women soccer and to professionalise the game in Pakistan. "We have achieved a lot in the last five years and enhancement of Pakistan soccer exposure to highest level from 2003 to 2008 as compare to activities from 1999 to 2003 showed that we are serious, committed about uplift and welfare of this game in this part of the world. It is remarkable that PFF is the only body affiliated with 46-member AFC to get three Goal Projects. "The number will be raised to four soon as AFC promised to give project Quetta after Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. But there is still much needed to be done and it will be my endeavour to see that Pakistan football is one day recognized as the best, at least in Asia. We need to set the highest benchmark possible in terms of professionalism," said Faisal. The PFF Congress members had recognized Faisal's work from 2003-08 and said thatbhis reappointment as member of AFC Disciplinary Committee until 2011 speaks of PFF Chief abilities. Faisal said that the PFF Vision 2020 Plan is related to grass-root level and youth development through which, in early stage, 12 Youth Development Centre (YDC) will be established in provincial and regional centers and each ydc will be comprised of soccer field, gymnasium and administrative block. The provincial/regional associations will play their part with 26 coaches of AFC AID-27 Scheme in order to make this Plan successful, he added.

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