LAHORE, July 19: Twelve teams will vie for top honours in the second national league starting from the last week of July. Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) technical director, Mujahid-ullah Tareen, said on Tuesday that top ten of last year’s national league and top two teams of PFF ‘B’ league will compete in the second edition.

The director explained that the exact dates for the league would be announced, soon after the four semifinalists of the ongoing first national challenge cup were decided, which is most probably likely to be finalized by the end of this week.

National champion Wapda, along with Pakistan Army, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Pakistan Navy, Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Afghan Club, Chaman and Wohaib Club, Lahore, have qualified for the second edition of the league.

Panthers Club, Faisalabad, who remained 11th also qualified as the 10th team after ABL withdrew its entry.

NBP and Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) qualified as the last two teams making it 12-team draw after finishing winners and runners-up of PFF ‘B’ league 2004.

PFF’s deadline

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has set July 31 as last date for registration/ transfer of players for the year 2005.

According to the decision, players are allowed to transfer from one club/department to another after completing the formalities announced on Dec 10.

All the four provinces, Fata, Northern Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad and departments are advised to implement the policy in true letter and spirit.

In case of transfer of a club player the transfer fee will be equally divided among the old club of the player, district body, provincial body and the PFF.

If a departmental player is making the change, the entire transfer fee will go to the PFF.

The transfer of a player will be completed only after the issuance of NOC from PFF.