ISLAMABAD - Chairperson Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Women Wing Senator Rubina Irfan has demanded PFF president to establish separate and completely autonomous female wing of the PFF, which should be affiliated with PFF but takes decisions independently.
In an exclusive interview with The Nation on Saturday, Rubina said it was her firm belief Pakistani women players were more capable then the male players.
“They are more committed, loyal to each other, very supportive and once they made up their minds, they never backed off from any given challenge. I had talked with PFF president Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayaat to appoint famed FIFA coach for national women team. The girls have the potential. I believe, we could have easily beaten Sri Lankan and other teams with the only exception of India, who were far better team. Other teams were almost at par with our players, but due to lack of international exposure and absence of top coach costs Pakistan team a place in the semifinals.”
She said she had been with PFF women wing since its introduction in 2005 and had only accepted a role in PFF, just because sheer passion and love for sports. “I had given my three daughters to Pakistan, who all played for country. Two of my daughters had played in the 3rd SAAF Women Soccer Championship. My daughters formed Balochistan United Football Club in 2004 and within 10 years we became the national champions in 2014 and also always finished on podium. I had invested huge amount, providing best available facilities to club players as well as the central contracts.” She said she had also urged the PFF president to award central contracts to female players according to their performances and he has promised whenever finances improve, central contracts would be offered. “We had made contacts with India, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Bangladesh Football Federations for exchange programs. I am quite hopeful this deal would be soon finalised and we would get benefit from sending our players to their countries and inviting their players to our country. I have also received an offer from Indian Football Federation for taking Balochistan United FC to India to which we have agreed.”
Rubina said she had given personal assurances to all the visiting teams for SAFF Championships about security and she was obliged that they agreed to her recommendations and travelled to Pakistan.
“I had also requested Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to arrange Pakistan women team training camp in Bahrain. We need maximum international exposure to challenge for top honours. I also met with FIFA Women president, who very kindly offered Pakistan women team could come to Bangkok and conduct training camp before taking part in any mega event.” Rubina said Brazilian High Commissioner in Islamabad also extended invitation to take women team to Brazil. “We just have to pay air tickets while accommodation and meal would be provided by the Brazilian government. We are seriously considering the offer. I request CM Balochistan Abdul Malik to release Rs 5 million, he had promised for the team, so we could travel to Brazil.”