AFZAL JAVED

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC), Haroon Malik held a productive meeting with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki at Islamabad to discuss collaborative efforts to enhance football standards in both nations.

During the meeting, the two leaders appreciated the previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PFF NC chairman Haroon Malik and President of the Saudi Football Federation, Yasser Al Misehal, in Saudi Arabia, which will prove a game-changer in Pakistan football. 

A consensus was reached, emphasizing the commitment of both football federations to strengthen their collaboration. The collective endeavour aims to expand learning opportunities, fostering the exchange of knowledge and expertise between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the realm of football. The agreement reflects a shared dedication to advancing football development and standards in both countries through collaborative knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan said that this is a great initiative by the Saudi Football Federation that will not only benefit Pakistan football in the long run but also provide opportunities for players and coaches to enhance their skills, ultimately excelling at higher levels. We hope that Pakistani players and coaches will derive maximum benefit from this MoU, contributing to the emergence of football superstars in Pakistan.”

PFF NC chairman Haroon Malik also expressed gratitude to the Saudi government and the Saudi Football Federation for their pioneering initiative. He said, “This MoU, a first of its kind, is a testament to the hard work and sincere efforts of the PFF Normalisation Committee, which is dedicated to elevating Pakistan football to new heights. With more initiatives like these, we aim to modernize Pakistani football, enabling footballers to achieve recognition and success at least at the Asian level.”