October 7, 2001	Sunday	Rajab 19, 1422

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LAHORE, Oct 6: Pakistan soccer team may tour South Africa in February next year to play matches against some prominent clubs, a Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) official said.

Syed Agha Liaquat Ali, the PFF secretary, said Saturday that the proposal was still in the pipeline and under negotiations.

The PFF official refused to reveal further details but admitted thaat the Pakistan federation, Sapphire Enterprises and South African club’s management were engaged in a triangular discussion.

Sapphire Enterprises, it may be recalled, had arranged Pakistan’s maiden tour to England earlier this year where the national team played two matches.

The PFF official, who is scheduled to leave for Malaysia in the wee hours of Sunday to attend the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Media committee meeting, said Pakistan would also take part in the SAARC Gold Cup to be held at Dhaka from Jan 25.

He said PFF president Mian Mohammad Azhar would attend the AFC meeting in Kuala Lumpur. He would leave on Oct 8 to attend the Fund Development committee meeting scheduled for Oct 10.

Commenting on John Layton’s return, Liaquat said there was a remote chance that the issue would be discussed at Kuala Lumpur. He, however, said Layton was keen to return to his job but was waiting clearance from his government.