01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Jan 31: Turkey is willing to offer free football coaching assistance to Pakistan, a top Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) official said on Saturday.

"The Turkish ambassador to Pakistan has expressed willingness to provide PFF free (football) coaching assistance," said PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat here.

The official, however, said Turkish club Besiktas were yet to inform PFF about their programme. They were scheduled to play a game against Pakistan earlier this month in Islamabad.

Besiktas were invited by the President Pervez Musharraf, but postponed their tour for indefinite period.

Faisal said the club had shown interest in touring Pakistan in near future.

Meanwhile, PFF has named a three-member committee to prepare the draws for the national league in April. The committee comprises Saeed Khan, Pervez Mir and Zahir Shah, all from NWFP.

PFF president said all the members were picked from NWFP to allow them to hold meetings and to complete the work in the shortest possible time.

PFF has decided to start the league after being pressed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). But it has abolished the PFF President's Cup and national championship before launching the league.

AFC had asked PFF to finalize the dates of the national league the official said and added the committee would complete its task shortly.

He said PFF would also discuss the details of coaches courses after Eid for which AFC would provide technical assistance.

PFF president said trials to pick an Under-23 team for the SAF Games would be held at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, on Feb 14 and 15. The Games will be held in Islamabad from March 29 to April 7.

The second phase of the training camp for the Games would begin in Islamabad from Feb 5, he added.