September 20, 2006	Wednesday	Sha'aban 26, 1427

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LAHORE, Sept 19: FIFA-appointed German coach, Holger Obermann, has said that Pakistan should groom its youth and urge them to put in more effort to earn a better position in the world of football.

Obermann, who returned to Lahore after a two-week coaching assignment in the quake-hit Northern Areas (NA), said that boys from the affected areas were tough and hard and said regular attention to youth could make them world-class players.

The German coach disclosed that training and coaching programme sponsored by FIFA had been divided into two age groups of U-14 and U-16 and separate arrangements had been made for the training of girls.

"I am impressed with response from the boys belonging to the earthquake affected areas where most of the children have lost their parents or their families but they are keen to rebuild a normal life,” remarked Obermann while talking to journalists at the PFF secretariat on Tuesday.

“Children there have shown determination to take part not only in sports activities but in all aspects of normal life which is an encouraging sign."

The coach disclosed that his visit to the affected areas boosted players’ morale and they appeared eager to improve their skill, especially movement with the ball and dribbling.

For the physical strength, he said appropriate diet had been recommended for the players.Obermann has specialized in football coaching, especially in areas where disasters have occurred.

He has visited Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and African countries under the FIFA Special 'Hope' programme and have successfully managed to carry out training and coaching sessions in such places.

Commenting on Pakistan’s recent progress in soccer, the German congratulated the home side for winning the South Asian football in Colombo, Sri Lanka last month.

“ It is not easy to win gold at this level and Pakistan put up a fine display at Colombo although at one stage they were on the brink of elimination," he said.

During his stay in Pakistan, Obermann, has conducted coaching clinics in the earthquake affected areas including Muzaffarabad, Abbottabad, Islamabad and Peshawar from Aug 30 to Sept 12. He also conducted clinics in Lahore from Sept 14-18.

The FIFA team will again visit Pakistan in March 2007.