KARACHI, Dec 13: Pakistan stands a good chance of acquiring International Football Federation’s (FIFA) grant under the Goal Project, an official said Thursday.

“Pakistan’s chances are good and I would submit a favorable report in this regard. But to make their case stronger, Pakistan Football Federation must submit the relevant documents by January 15, 2002,” FIFA Goal Project Director Manilal Lal Fernando told SADA.

“Pakistan needs to buy land for the proposed academy and acquire the services of an architect to set up it in a month’s time.”

Fernando is in Pakistan to assess the facilities and infrastructure of the sport in the country.

“Ever since Sap Blatter took over FIFA’s presidency, various development projects have been initiated to help the countries lacking in facilities. The world body wants to promote the game,” he said.

“FIFA gives grants ranging from $400,000 to one million, provides technical help and conducts courses in countries where the game is not fully developed,” Fernando, a Sri Lankan, added.

The FIFA official was on the last leg of his tour to South Asian countries which included India, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

“I was supposed to undertake the tour in November. But FIFA, in view of the security reservations in the wake of Afghanistan crisis, planned my tour in such a manner that I reached Pakistan in the last leg.”

Fernandes observed that India has a better football infrastructure than Pakistan. “India is slightly ahead of Pakistan because their government has given their federation three sites to build an academy,” the FIFA official informed.

“But the proposal and report on Pakistan and India will go at the same time, hopefully by early February next year.”

Fernando met Federal Sports Minister S.K. Tressler besides other sports officials in capital Islamabad Thursday.

“The minister is full of enthusiasm and wants to do something for the promotion of sports in Pakistan,” he said.

The FIFA official advised Pakistan Football Federation to employ professional and technical staff. “Most of PFF officials are performing duties on voluntary basis which needs to be changed. PFF must employ professional and technical staff.”

Fernandes hoped that football would progress in leaps and bounds in Asia after the 2002 World Cup — the first-ever football gala in the region. “We hope that the game will progress rapidly in Asia after that event.”

PFF secretary Agha Liquat Ali hoped that Pakistan would secure the grant under the Goal Project.

“After the Goal Project director’s successful visit, the PFF hopes to get the grant.

“We hope that his (Fernandes) report would favor us. PFF will submit all the required documents by January 15 next year,” he said.—SADA