December 5, 2001	Wednesday	Ramazan 19, 1422

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LAHORE, Dec 4: Artificial turf and natural grass football fields will be laid down in Pakistan through the Goal Project fund which is being provided by the FIFA.

A FIFA representative for the Goal Project, Manilal Fernando is to arrive in Pakistan on Dec 9 to inspect the feasibility reports of the projects which have been prepared by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) under the Goal Project.

According to a copy made available by the PFF, having details of the projects, more emphasis has been given on the infrastructure and a Football House which will have an academy also.

FIFA will allocate a fund of $ 400,000 to Pakistan under the Goal Project which will be used by the end of Dec 31, 2002. FIFA is providing these funds from T.V rights sold out for the World Cup-2002 to be held jointly by South Korea and Japan in 2002 and next global competition which is scheduled to be held in Germany in 2006. It has earned an amount of 2.8 billion Swiss Francs through T.V rights.

Fernando will recommend the names of the city where the artificial and grassy fields will be laid down and the Football House will be constructed.

 An academy will be built in the Football House to hone the skills of the younger players.

The funds will also be used for improving the administration related matters of the federation and in the areas of coaching, refereeing and sports medicine. Talent scouting clubs at regional and national level are also included in the programme for boys and girls.

It was learnt that all the amount on these projects will remain under the control of the FIFA representative and the PFF will only assist him.