LAHORE, July 19: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) faces a shortfall of $250,000 for completing FIFA-funded Goal Project in Lahore because of lack of planning.
FIFA, the world governing body of the game, had allocated $400,000 in 2001 for the Project to the national federations including Pakistan. But the previous PFF could not start the work on the project due to lack of interest.
Finally present officials elected last year secured a piece of land for the project and held foundation laying ceremony last December. PFF had vowed to launch the project in the first week of July. The process of awarding the contract is still in progress which could prolong owing to budget deficit.
PFF called tenders, according to which the minimum bid for the project was around $620,000, while the maximum was $700,000. Besides, PFF has to pay $35,000 to the consultant of the project.
However, PFF cancelled the first design of the project which was approved by FIFA during the tenure of former PFF president Mian Azhar. The present official cancelled the design to expand the construction area of the project.
It not only took another six months to get FIFA's approval for the new design, the new plan also raised the cost of the project. PFF is now considering three options to cover up the deficit.
Top priority is being given to get sponsors which seems difficult as the federation has even failed to seek sponsorship for the ongoing national league. The second option is to use FIFA's annual grant of $250,000.
Although PFF has some amount, the federation has been meeting expenditures of the league and the staff, therefore, it will be hard to support the Goal through the annual FIFA aid. The third option is to reduce the activities till the completion of the Goal Project or to get sponsorships for domestic activity.
