FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim has expressed confidence in the potential of Pakistan’s youth, assuring full support for the promotion and development of football in the country.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood, Sheikh Salman said he was pleased to visit Pakistan after eight years, with his last trip being in 2017. “I am happy to be here. I have come at a good time because Pakistan now has an elected football body in place,” he remarked.
He said the presence of a clear roadmap would help steer the sport in the right direction. “With the support of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), we will work to uplift the national football structure in this beautiful country,” he added.
Acknowledging the challenges, Sheikh Salman said the country’s football infrastructure was not up to the mark but assured that joint initiatives and programmes would help improve facilities. “Many people in Pakistan follow this sport passionately. We need to promote football more extensively. You will see positive changes in the near future,” he stated.
Rana Mashhood thanked the FIFA Senior Vice President for visiting Pakistan, calling it an important development for the revival of football. He said that under the Prime Minister’s vision, positive reforms were being introduced in sports. “Together with FIFA, we will identify and polish the football talent that exists in Pakistan. Under the Prime Minister’s Talent Hunt Programmes, we are focusing on 30 different sports disciplines,” he noted.
Mashhood further said the government was committed to fulfilling promises made to the youth and transforming the sports landscape in the country.
