ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that all sports federations in Pakistan would soon have qualified professionals, assuring that favouritism and nepotism will not be acceptable.
The prime minister stated this while talking to Malik Amir Dogar, PTI MNA and Punjab Football Council Member, who met and apprised him of his resolve to run for Pakistan Football Federation presidency in the elections being held in December 2018.
PM Khan wished him well and assured that the government had very serious plans to uplift the standard of sports in Pakistan and would come up with a very progressive and effective policy to ensure that Pakistani sportsmen can once again make a mark at the international level.
The premier said that the new sports policy would ensure a secured future for players, coaches and officials.
On the request of Dogar, PM Khan agreed to meet a football delegation comprising players, coaches, referees and officials so that he could get firsthand information and input for development of football in the country.
PM Khan assured Dogar that he would task the sports directorate to put immediate plans to construct international standard football stadiums in all the major cities of the country.
The prime minister stressed the need to set up football academies all over the country and launch an extensive grassroots development and grooming program.
Dogar suggested to the prime minister to approve the hiring of international football coaches to impart training to the young talent all over Pakistan to which the prime minister gave an affirmative response.
On the request of Dogar, the prime minister agreed to invite the FIFA and AFC presidents to visit Pakistan and meet him soon.
The prime minister, who himself is a great sportsman, strongly feels that an interaction at this level will help promote football and will create an effective and progressive relations between the world governing bodies & PFF.