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| May 12, 2005 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 3, 1426 |
PFF making efforts for India to play in Karachi
LAHORE, May 11: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is still making efforts to convince India to play additional fourth match instead of scheduled three matches to be played from June 12 to 18. PFF secretary Arshad Lodhi on Wednesday said although All India Football Federation (AIFF) had informed PFF that its team would not be playing the fourth match, PFF was trying to convince it through Indian High Commission in Islamabad and the prime minister of Pakistan.
“We are planning a meeting with the Indian high commissioner and also with prime minister Shaukat Aziz to help us,” the secretary said.
India will play first match in Quetta on June 12, second in Peshawar on June 16 and Lahore on June 18.
“Another match in Karachi between June 12 and 16 is possible. PFF is trying to arrange it because people of Karachi are demanding for it,” he said.
He said if Indian cricket team could play a match in Karachi, there should be no problem in playing a soccer game in that city.
He said Karachi would not be deprived of a major activity if the fourth match was not played since the city was also hosting the SAFF championship in December.
“We will decide date for the camp in a couple of days. I feel immediate training camp is not necessary since our players had attended long camps for the recently-concluded Islamic Games,” he said.He said the team would be selected choosing players from the five outfits of various age groups.
The official said entry for Lahore match would be free. Balochistan and the NWFP associations would decide in this regard, he added.
The secretary admitted PFF had not yet engaged any sponsor to meet the expenditures of the series which would cost about Rs five million.
Meanwhile, the secretary said PFF was planning to prepare a comprehensive programme for the welfare of the retired, aging players,referees and other officials, who needed financial assistance.
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