October 7, 2003	Tuesday	Sha’aban 10, 1424

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LAHORE, Oct 6: FIFA Goal Project director for Pakistan Manilal Fernando has extended the deadline till Dec 31 for acquiring a piece of land near Punjab Stadium for the project.

FIFA selected Pakistan for Goal Project in 2001 but the indifferent attitude of previous PFF officials delayed the project as they failed to get the plot despite repeated instructions by FIFA.

Fernando, who met new PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat on Monday told reporters he would prefer Lahore for the Goal Project as  the plot was located in a area specified for sporting activities.

Fernando said the plot in Karachi was also at an ideal location, but added the proximity of Punjab Stadium, equipped with a football ground, was an added attraction.

Fernando, also the vice-president of Asian Football Confederation (AFC), said he had no idea why PFF delayed in acquiring a plot as it had deprived itself of millions dollars.

The official, who is director Goal Projects of 14 Asian countries, said smaller countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh had completed 75 per cent work on their projects.

He said his country — Sri Lanka — had completed the project and had also earned the second Goal Project for another city.

Fernando said like Pakistan, India was sluggish too and now it had acquired a plot for the project, but the launching ceremony had been delayed because the Indian football officials wish to invite the prime minister to inaugurate it.

He said 75 per cent work of Goal Project of Syria and Lebanon had been completed.

Fernando said AFC had decided to strictly advise all its member countries to establish nine different departments including youth, coaching, referee, sports medicines, administration, media, competition, technical and marketing from Jan 1, 2004.

All the positions should be filled by professional persons, he said and added expenses of those professional would be borne by the respective federations.