August 01, 2008	Friday	Rajab 28, 1429

KARACHI, July 31: Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) Secretary General Col Ahmed Yar Lodhi, who visited the 10-acre Hawkesbay site in Scheme 42 reserved for the FIFA Goal Project II, on Thursday afternoon called Sindh Football Association’s (SFA) second option a good choice. While speaking to Dawn at the People’s Sports Complex after watching the KESC-Wapda clash, Col Lodhi said: “The place is just a 15-minute drive from this stadium which gives it an ideal location.”

But the Secretary General didn’t want to go into the details of their deal with the Karachi authorities regarding the handing over of the land. “I’ll be in a better position to say more after getting possession,” he said.

After surveying the land himself, he said he was concerned about Karachi’s dry and salty air making it difficult for grass to grow in the area.

“What’s a football stadium without green grass anyway? And I’m thinking about requesting FIFA for an additional grant to be able to get astroturf for the stadium, which would cost us around 20 to 30 million in rupees,” he said.

About the Romanian coach Molaovan Eugen, being hired by the PFF on a three-year contract to work with the national team, Col Lodhi said: “He should arrive here around the end of September so that his work with the national team can begin from October.”

The coach is being hired by the PFF on an annual salary of US $50,000.