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| August 30, 2005 | Tuesday | Rajab 24, 1426 |
PFF and not SAFF to decide venue: Mujahid
KARACHI, Aug 29: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) seem to be on collision course as a PFF official again claimed only federation could decide SAFF championship venue not any “outsider”.
Confusion prevailed over finalizing the venue as there are contradictory reports on the issue with both SAFF and PFF officials claiming they will decide where the Dec 8 to 18 championship should be organized.
The controversy took a new turn on Monday when PFF director technical Col Mujahid Ullah Khan (retd) rejected the reports in a section of the press quoting SAFF inspector Sirajul Islam Bachchu. Bachchu has been quoted as saying only SAFF executive committee meeting next month would decide the venue.
“That’s totally wrong and absurd. We have been allotted the event and it is the prerogative of PFF to decide the venue and not SAFF or anybody else could be allowed to interfere.
“Bachchu and two World Sports Group officials Tom Wheeler and Shahrum Jappar were here in Karachi last week to inspect the facilities at People’s Sports Complex.
“They will only give their recommendations to the SAFF executive committee which would be forwarded to PFF to decide the venue in the light of the report,” Mujahid told Dawn on Monday.
The PFF official explained PFF could act only in favour of Karachi’s People’s Sports Complex if the report from the SAFF inspectors said that Lahore’s Punjab Stadium — the second choice venue — was not suitable at all for holding the tournament.
“When the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) allotted this event to Pakistan we have Karachi as the first priority in our mind. But Lahore was and still is another standby venue.
“Now if SAFF says both venues are in perfect shape to host the event, then it will be PFF to decide as it has the sole right to do that,” he claimed.
Asked when Karachi was allotted to host the event on what basis the event could be shifted to Lahore he was unconvincing saying “it will be PFF’s right to decide where the event could be organized in a better way and Karachi is first choice while Lahore second.
“Inspectors were here only to give their own report,” asked what was the purpose of SAFF official’s visit when PFF was to decide the venue.
Abbas Baloch, the Sindh Football Association chairman, had earlier said he had not reacted over Karachi’s omission as one of the venues for recent Pakistan and India series on the condition that SAFF championship would be held in Karachi.
The SAFF inspectors had visited Karachi and Lahore in June while they recently came again to Karachi few days ago as part of final inspection of Karachi venue.
They had expressed reservation over poor lighting arrangement at People’s Sports Complex in June.
The facelift of the stadium is, however, in progress and according to Mujahid the condition has improved since June.
Cracks and power struggle in the PFF are evident when Mujahid expressed apprehension of an AFC backlash in the background of what he alleged rude behaviour of PFF vice-president Agha Liaquat who was reported to have “reprimanded” AFC development officer Imtiazur Rehman during People’s Sports Complex visit.
“It would be so embarrassing for Pakistan if AFC decides to take action or even expresses its annoyance over Agha Liaquat’s behaviour. It was absurd to say Imtiaz jeopardized Pakistan’s bid for President’s Cup.
“The fact is People’s Sports Complex was in a shambles when AFC inspectors came to see the venue. It was not allotted to Pakistan as Liaquat, during his tenure as secretary, never paid attention to the venue and PFF faced embarrassment during Under-20 Asian championship qualifiers.
“The AFC officials found Nepal venue better than Pakistan’s and gave the inaugural event to Kathmandu. Liaquat’s allegations that Imtiaz, who is a Pakistani, is again planning to sabotage SAFF event could do no good except bringing bad name to the country,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, Mujahid said PFF had taken strong notice of the alleged misconduct by Army team officials — manager Major Shafqat Mahmood and coach Subedar Mohammad Afzal –- and action would be taken after submission of match commissioner’s report.
“This matter will be decided by league disciplinary committee and the president PFF Faisal Saleh Hayat. It is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly. There is no room for such behaviour, especially by team officials.”
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