KARACHI, Jan 9: Pakistan is likely to bid for the next edition of South Asian Football Federation Cup, an official said.

“We have planned to make a formal bid to host the 2003 SAFF Cup when the management committee of South Asian Football Federation meets in Dhaka later this month,” Pakistan Football Federation Secretary Agha Liaquat Ali told SADA.

The SAFF Cup will be held in Dhaka from Jan 26 and SAFF Committee is due to meet during the event. “Pakistan wants to hold the tournament in Karachi.

We have enough resources to have it sponsored,” he said. Ali informed that he has already negotiated title sponsorship deal for the SAFF Cup.

Pakistan has not held international football event for a decade due to lack of grounds and other facilities but have improved the infrastructure since getting a one-million-dollar grant from the Asian Football Confederation.

PFF is set to get a grant of 400,000 dollars from International Football Federation (FIFA) under its Goal Project. —SADA