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| May 26, 2005 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1426 |
FIFA extends Goal Project deadline
LAHORE, May 25: FIFA has extended the deadline for the completion of Goal Project from May 25 to Sept 1 following which a penalty would be imposed on the contractor. “The reasons cited by the contractor which delayed work seem to be genuine, therefore, FIFA has decided to give him more time,” FIFA official for the project in Pakistan Mohsin Gillani said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The project started with a total estimated cost of $765,000 in mid-October last year. FIFA has to pay a major share of $450,000 while the remaining was to be arranged by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).
Mohsin said unprecedented rains in March/April, seepage problems due to sudden overflowing of drain and some problems related to labour were cited by the contractor as the reasons.
Asked if FIFA would impose any penalty on the contractor for making delay Mohsin said “FIFA could impose the penalty as it is written in the deed, but as the reasons are genuine, we will not take any action.”
However, he said contractor would be penalized if he failed to meet the deadline this time. Surprisingly, the FIFA official was not sure whether Sept 1 would be final deadline.
“I can’t say that it is a final deadline. But FIFA wants to see the project completed as soon as possible and the penalty will be imposed after Sept 1 on daily basis. However, I will not disclose the amount but only can say it will be appropriate.”
Asked if it was true FIFA delayed in making payments to the contractor he said “there is a modified process of payment of the bills to the contractor and I assure no unnecessary delay occurred.”
However, it is learnt last bill of the contractor of $30,000 was sent two months ago which had not been cleared so far. He parried question about the date of the inauguration of the project.
An official of PFF said the federation was responsible for arranging the remaining funds i.e., $365,000.
“The prime minister of Pakistan has made commitment for giving remaining funds and furthermore the PFF has also sufficient money to meet the budget of the project,” the PFF official said.
Mohsin said FIFA would assist PFF in promoting the game among women and would allow it to use 10 per cent of the annual grant of the international body $250,000.
He said PFF had to use the annual grant for annual activities including national league.
PFF official admitted that Shaheena, appointed chief coordinator for women’s wing who is also a Higher Education Commission official, would not be able to give time to activities, and added a coordinator who would be paid by FIFA would also be appointed to assist her.
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