KARACHI, June 30: FIFA will help to construct soccer grounds and coaching centres in parts of northern Pakistan devastated by an earthquake last year, a Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) official said on Friday.

“FIFA and the PFF feel that soccer is one way of creating a new spirit among the survivors and bringing back smiles to their faces,” PFF technical director Mir Farooq said.

Last October's earthquake killed more than 70,000 people and made millions homeless. Sports stadiums were turned into field hospitals and pitches became landing sites for helicopters.

Schools were particularly hard hit and almost half the casualties were children.

Farooq said FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation had pledged $700,000 for projects in the quake areas, where soccer has always been popular although Pakistan's national sport is cricket.

FIFA development officer Mohsin Gillani was visiting the affected areas to draw up plans for the projects, a PFF official said.

The Pakistan football team are ranked 153rd in the world but there is still huge interest in the World Cup being held in Germany.—Reuters