KARACHI: Saddam Hussain is enjoying the competition for places at Northern Cypriot club Larnaka Genclerbirligi SK. And the Pakistan international footballer hopes his talent and skills will help him become an undisputed starter for the club he joined in January.

“It’s been a really nice experience so far,” the midfield dynamo told Dawn on Wednesday. “I’ve learned so many things as the standard of football is high and that’s good for me.”

With Northern Cyprus being a state only recognised by Turkey, its football association isn’t affiliated with either world’s football governing body FIFA or the European supervisory body UEFA and hence its clubs do not feature in European competitions.

But despite that, there is fierce competition for a berth in the starting line-up.

“I’ve so far started two games in the Cypriot Cup and three in the CTFA Super League,” Saddam, who starred for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) before stints in Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain, informed.

“In other games, I’ve come on from the bench.”

His club lies fourth in the league and is through to the Cup quarter-finals.

“I’ve a good rapport with my team-mates and my coach and they realise I have the skills and the talent to improve further,” added Saddam. “I hope I’m able to do that and cement my place in the team.”

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2017