PFF Congress approves budget

LAHORE – The Pakistan Football Federation Congress Tuesday approved a budget of Rs 55 million for the calendar of activities of the year 2011.
The Congress meeting, chaired by President Faisal Saleh Hayat, was held at the Football House.
The house gave permanent membership to Islamabad Football Association, Afghan FC Chaman, PMC Atheltco Faisalabad, Young Rising Star Women Club Rawalpindi & Diya Women Football Club Karachi. With the induction of these new members, the strength of the PFF Congress has risen to 29.
The Congress also gave approval for the district, provincial and national level PFF elections in 2011. The final election list and the appointment of Regional & Provincial Election Commissioners were also approved by the full house unanimously. Elections will be held from January to July.
Following FIFA’s rules, PFF has abolished the women’s wing and formed a women’s department and has decided to spend 25 percent of its budget on female football as against 15 percent it used to spend. The women’s department will be chaired by Mrs. Robina Irfan, while Mrs. Frashta Ali Shrafi will be Vice Chairperson. The election of a women’s committee was also held that included, other than the chairperson and vice chairperson, Mrs. Najma Naz (KPK), Miss Kiran Ilyas (Punjab) and Majzgaan Orakzi (Islamabad FC).
The Congress has directed AJK, FATA, Gilgit and Baltistan to hold football leagues and tournaments for another three years.
An official of the PFF said the scrutiny process of the clubs has been completed. There are 1,643 clubs registered, with Punjab having 438, Sindh 608, KPK 217, Balochistan 353 and Islamabad 27.
The house appreciated the great services of the President PFF towards the promotion of the game in Pakistan and assured him of their complete support in the future.
The PFF President said that football was now being played widely in Pakistan. “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure a berth in London Olympics and World Cup Qualifiers.” Pakistan team is set appear in the 4th AFC Challenge Cup and SAFF Championship besides AFC U16, U19, U13 events and other international events next year.
“The launch of Vision Asia was a milestone in the country’s football history. We have made significant progress in the promotion and development of football in Pakistan and are optimistic about football gaining more popularity in coming years,” Hayat said.
Faisal congratulated WAPDA for winning the Pakistan Premier Football League, thus earning a ticket for the 7th AFC President’s Cup. He also congratulated Young Rising Star for winning the 6th National Women’s Championship at Islamabad. He praised the efforts of Pakistan women’s team as they earned a semi final spot in only their second international assignment during the SAFF Women’s Championship.
During the meeting, PFF made several amendments in its constitution on the instructions of the Vision Asia team, as per statutes laid down in FIFA and AFC.