Pakistan Football Federation Archives

Pakistan Football Federation approves new logo to reflect national identity

LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Friday unveiled a new logo on Friday, replacing the one that had been in use for more than two decades.

The new logo, which reflects Pakistan’s national identity and heritage, has been approved under the leadership of President Syed Mohsen Gilani.

Following the decision, Mohsen Gillani shed light on the key aspects and the need for the new logo.

“Our current logo does not represent the spirit, culture, or global image of Pakistan. There is a strong need for a visual identity that speaks to both our legacy and our future ambitions,” he stated.

It is noteworthy to mention that the decision to change the PFF logo also aligns with the expectations of sponsors for a modern and representative symbol that reflects Pakistan’s footballing aspirations.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The new logo has been formally approved by the Executive Committee, which is also a step forward in the PFF’s broader mission to revitalize football in Pakistan and strengthen its image on both the national and international stages.

The old PFF logo was in use since 2003, during which time the Pakistani flag was replaced with a football.

On November 12, 2003, the then-PFF president, Faisal Saleh Hayat, approved the logo.

The decision set aside the importance of the Pakistani flag, which had been used since the federation’s foundation in 1948.

READ: Shaheen Afridi picks THIS batter over Virat Kohli as the toughest he’s bowled to

Football development on the cards as PFF holds key talks at AFC headquarters

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) leaders held a key meeting at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters here on Monday.

The first official meeting with the AFC delegation was led by President Syed Mohsen Gilani.

The PFF delegation also included Vice President Mr. Hafiz Zaka Ullah, Acting General Secretary Mr. Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, and Director of International Relations and Development Mr. Omair Ullah Khan.

On the other hand, General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John headed the AFC delegation, which included senior officials.

The senior officials were Deputy General Secretary Shin Man Gil, Director of Finance, HR & IT, B. Chandra Mohan, Director of Legal Affairs, and Andrew Mercer.

Additionally, the team comprised the Director of the Commercial Department, Andrew Rogers; the Head of Football Development, Jose Marcelino Z. Corpio; and the Senior Manager of the South Asia Unit, MA Division, Sonal Jigmi.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The meeting’s agenda focused on improving Pakistan’s football infrastructure and establishing long-term collaboration with the AFC.

PFF shared the details of the meeting on its social handle, which highlighted the agenda of the meeting.

“The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) held its first official meeting with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), led by President Mr Syed Mohsen Gilani,” the caption read.

“The PFF delegation included Vice President Mr Hafiz Zaka Ullah, Acting General Secretary Mr Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, and Director of International Relations and Development Mr Omair Ullah Khan,” it added.

Syed Mohsin Gillani expressed his thoughts on the meeting, lauding the visit aimed at improving football in the country.

“The visit reflects the profound all-around support of the AFC under the vision of its President, His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, for the development of football in Pakistan.”

“We also greatly value the guidance of AFC GS Datuk Seri Windsor John, whose leadership continues to contribute to the smooth functioning of the PFF administration,” he said.

READ: Haller leaves Borussia Dortmund for Utrecht on permanent deal

Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano arrives at Football House in Lahore

LAHORE: Head Coach of the Pakistan National and Under-23 Football Teams, Nolberto Solano, arrived at the Football House here on Saturday.

Solano was warmly received by the Acting General Secretary of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, and also held a meeting with the PFF staff during his visit.

For the unversed, Nolberto Solano was appointed as the head coach for Pakistan’s senior and under-23 sides in July, alongside assistant coach Jorge Castaneira.

A household name during his playing days at English club Newcastle United, Solano scored 38 goals in 233 appearances and became a fan favourite.

Since retiring from professional football, Solano has built a strong coaching career.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He has managed three clubs in Peru and was part of the coaching staff that guided the Peru national team to their first World Cup appearance in 34 years in 2018.

He also played a vital role in Peru’s fourth-place finish at the 2021 Copa America.

Alongside Nolberto Solano, Jorge Castaneira is also vastly experienced with a formidable background in football conditioning and tactical development.

Castaneira, a former Argentine professional physical trainer, has worked with Venezuela’s national team during their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign and has contributed to the success of clubs across South America and the Middle East.

The experienced duo will be part of the Pakistan football program for one year, aiming to enhance player performance in the short term and foster youth development in the long term.

READ: Liverpool strike late to beat Bournemouth in Premier League opener

PFF appoints Arooj Sohail Butt first woman manager of Men’s U-17 national team

LAHORE: In a historic move, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Sunday named Arooj Sohail Butt as the Manager of the Pakistan Men’s U-17 National Team.

This move marked history as Arooj Sohail Butt became the first female manager in the country to hold such a key position.

The newly appointed manager has been actively working with PFF since 2022 in the role of safeguarding officer.

Besides her role, she holds multiple certifications in child safeguarding from FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).

She has been assigned to oversee the under-17 squad ahead of the forthcoming SAFF Championship and Asian qualifiers later this year.

Following Arooj Sohail Butt’s appointment, PFF shed light on the initiative and inclusion of women in football regulations.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The initiative closely aligns with FIFA’s global objectives, especially its commitment to human rights, anti-discrimination, and the inclusion of women in football governance, as outlined in Article 3 of the FIFA Statutes,” it said.

“FIFA’s 2016 reforms also emphasized the importance of women’s full participation in shaping the future of the sport,” it added.

On the occasion, PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani also expressed his views and lauded Arooj Sohail Butt’s presence for a better future.

‘I am proud to see women taking managerial roles in the history of Pakistan football. We believe her presence will inspire more women to take up key roles in football,” he said.

READ: New Zealand crush Zimbabwe to sweep the Test series

Newcastle legend Solano appointed head coach of Pakistan football Team

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has appointed Nolberto Solano as the head coach and Jorge Castaneira as the assistant coach for Pakistan’s senior and under-23 national teams.

The decision was taken following a vote by the PFF Executive Committee in which seven of the thirteen members voted in favour of the appointment.

Notably, Nolberto Solano was a popular figure during his playing days for English football club Newcastle United, scoring 38 goals in 233 appearances.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Following his retirement from a professional career, Solano has gained extensive experience. He has managed three clubs in his native Peru, while also playing a pivotal role in guiding the Peru national team to their first World Cup appearance in 34 years in 2018.

Additionally, Pakistan’s newly appointed football coach also played a crucial role in Peru’s fourth-place finish in the 2021 Copa America.

Alongside Solano, Jorge Castaneira is also vastly experienced with a formidable background in football conditioning and tactical development.

The experienced duo will be part of the Pakistan football program for one year, aiming to enhance player performance in the short term and foster youth development in the long term.

Following the appointment, PFF Syed Mohsen Gilani hailed Nolberto Solano and Jorge Castañeira.

“Nolberto Solano is a big name in world football, while Jorge Castañeira brings top-level fitness training to our team. Together, they will help us build a strong and professional future for football in our country,” he said.

With Solano and Castañeira joining us, we will give our players better facilities”, Mohsen Gilani concluded.

READ: Mike Hesson labels Mirpur pitch as ‘unacceptable’ for international cricket

FIFA suspends Pakistan Football Federation

FIFA has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) immediately due to its failure to implement constitutional amendments recommended by the global governing body.

The suspension comes after the PFF Congress refused to adopt a revised constitution ensuring fair and democratic elections, a key requirement of FIFA’s normalization process.

The PFF’s failure to amend its constitution, particularly clauses related to the electoral process, has led to the suspension. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had urged the PFF to make these changes, but the newly elected PFF Congress rejected them.

This is not the first time the PFF has faced suspension. In April 2021, FIFA imposed a ban due to third-party interference, lifted in June 2022 after the PFF Normalization Committee regained control of its premises and finances.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The current suspension means Pakistan’s national teams are barred from international competitions, and the PFF will no longer receive FIFA’s financial assistance until the issue is resolved.

The Pakistan Football Federation Normalization Committee Chairman Haroon Malik had warned of a possible suspension due to the deadlock between the federation and the newly elected Congress. Malik stated that FIFA wants the PFF Constitution to align with international standards, but a majority of the newly elected PFF Congress members have not agreed to the proposed amendments.

The PFF has made progress in recent months, including participating in the 2023 Olympic qualifiers and advancing to the second round. However, the suspension is a significant setback for Pakistani football.

READ: Trophy for tri-nation ODI series unveiled

ARY and Pakistan Football Federation join hands for live football coverage

ARY and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) have joined hands to bring high-quality coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers to viewers across Pakistan.

The partnership will make A Sports HD – Pakistan’s first HD sports channel – the exclusive home of Pakistan Football for its upcoming fixture against Saudi Arabia.

The two teams go head-to-head on 6th June at the Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, as Pakistan host their final match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Saudi Arabia has previously defeated Pakistan 4-0 in the first leg of the qualifying fixtures.

Pakistan are placed in Group G of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tajikistan.

Notably, this is the first time Pakistan is playing in the second round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They defeated Cambodia in the first round.

READ: Pakistan Football League Collaborates with Atletico Madrid

Ex-footballers to hold protest against PFF NC today

KARACHI: Scores of former Pakistan footballers and stakeholders called a protest against the FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee (NC) for its prolonged control of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

The demonstration will be held outside Karachi Press Club today (Wednesday) followed by a press conference by the former players and football representatives, who have decided to launch joint efforts under a single platform.

The protest will be led by former Pakistan captains Akbar Raisani and Zafar Iqbal, ex-captain and President Award winner Isa Khan, Karim Baloch, Dr Mohammad Ali, Haji Khalil, Gul Mohammad Kakkar and other district-level representatives.

The platform is distraught over the unnecessary delay in holding the PFF elections and foot-dragging by the NC to transfer the power to an elected body.

It is pertinent to mention that the Normalization Committee’s mandated term expires on June 30, however, the elections are nowhere in sight.

Football affairs in Pakistan have been mired in crisis since 2015 in the absence of an elected body.

FIFA appointed a Normalisation Committee in September 2019 to put the country’s football back on track. FIFA also suspended PFF membership for a 15-month period during that time after the Normalisation Committee was thrown out of office.

The FIFA suspension was only lifted in June last year and extended the mandate of the NC by one year after it regained control of PFF in May.

READ: Alishan Sharafu’s fifty powers Emirates Blue to stun Fujairah in D10 League

Hajra out as PFF name 34-member squad for four-nation tournament

LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced a 34-member squad for the upcoming four-nation tournament in Saudi Arabia, former captain Hajra Khan excluded.

Hajra, who led Pakistan’s women’s team since 2014, was a part of the team that partook in the recently-held South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) despite being replaced by Maria Khan as captain.

Meanwhile, the veteran striker, however, has been dropped by the PFF for the national women’s team’s upcoming assignment as she is not included in the 34-member squad.

The 34 shortlisted players will participate in the training camp, scheduled to commence on December 8 to prepare for their second major assignment since the revival of football in the country.

The Green Shirts will feature in the four-nation tournament from January 11 to 19, the remaining three teams include hosts Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Comoros.

Earlier, the green shirts participated in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship after an eight-year hiatus.

After losing to India and Bangladesh, Pakistan thrashed Maldives 7-0 to conclude their first international tournament on a winning note.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan women’s football team also marked their return to FIFA rankings after a six-year absence.

Following their reinstation in the rankings table, the green shirts occupied the 160th rank with a total of 928.4 points.

PAKISTAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Nisha Ashraf, Rumesa Khan, Hadiqa Zafar, Fatima Naz and Mafia Parveen.

Defenders: Malika e Noor, Eeshal Fayyaz, Eschal Sheikh, Mishal Bhatti, Nazalia Siddiqui, Sahar Zaman, Sahiba Sherdil, Sara Khan and Sophiya Qureshi.

Midfielders: Maria Khan, Alina Isphani, Alina Akram, Aliza Sabir, Amina Hanif, Ammal Khan, Anushey Usman, Marvi Baig, Rameen Fareed, Ruqqya Farheen, Sanober Sattar, Suha Hirani and Zehmina Malik.

Forwards: Nadia Khan, Aliya Sadiq, Anmol Hira, Kainat Abdul Ghani, Nadia Shams, Naqiyah Ali and Zoya Zeeshan.

READ: Belgium star Hazard quits international football

PFF installs GPS system at national footballers’ training camp

LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) set up a state-of-the-art Global Positioning System (GPS) system to train the national footballers for upcoming international commitments.

Commonly used for athletics worldwide, the GPS technology and VO camera will now be installed at the national footballers’ ongoing training camp here.

The newly installed technology would benefit the national coaches in evaluating and assisting each athlete in enhancing their fitness in accordance with their requirements.

VO camera assistance will also be used throughout the training. 36 players were shortlisted to prepare for the upcoming international engagements, who will undergo several workouts to improve both their physical and game-playing skills.

Details further suggest that the foreign physical trainer Rodrigo Steves put the footballers through an enduring VO2max test on Tuesday, which evaluated the data on the stamina and strength of the players.

Speaking on the occasion, the head coach of the Pakistan Men’s Football team – Shahzad Anwar – stated that the federation is paying attention to each player in order to improve their fitness and skills.

“We are trying to improve the abilities of each player by paying attention, for this purpose we are also taking help from the latest technology,” said Anwar.

“So, we are hoping that by improving the skills and fitness they will be able to prepare for important challenges, in the next phase there will be more physical tests, in the light of which each player will be given a training plan according to his needs,” he concluded.

READ: Nashra Sandhu replaces injured Fatima Sana for Women’s T20 Asia Cup