ISLAMABAD: The World Group is bringing several star footballers to Pakistan this July, including the former Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos, Shahzeb Trunkwala announced on Friday.

At the unveiling ceremony of a statue of Roberto Carlos, Mr Trunkwala, the president of the World Group, said Mr Carlos would be joining a line-up of international players who are part of the Ronaldinho and Friends squad coming to Pakistan in July for an exhibition match under the Leisure Leagues.

Mr Carlos is regarded one of the top international footballers in the history of the sport and is known for winning Brazil’s second World Cup and several titles for Real Madrid, including La Liga and the Champions League.

In a video message during the ceremony, Mr Carlos thanked World Group Chairman Mehmood Trunkwala for the invitation and told Pakistani footballers to be ready to play with him.

Initiative announced during unveiling of statue of legendary footballer Roberto Carlos

The Trunkwala family has partnered with Leisure Leagues, the world’s largest 5-6 and 7-A side amateur football league. During Friday’s ceremony, speakers also recalled the Trunkwala family’s pre-partition association with football.

If all goes as planned, the World Group will bring 11 international footballers to Pakistan, including Ronaldinho, Anelka and Robert Pirès, to revive football in Pakistan.

Mr Trunkwala said his family’s mission was to provide football grounds and facilitate youth trips abroad under the Leisure Leagues banner. He said they would also take steps to bring international football academies to Pakistan.

Leisure Leagues Pakistan Chief Operating Officer Ishaq Shah said the initiative aims to ensure a nationwide platform for football players in Pakistan. “We will provide the infrastructure to sustain football as a sport in Pakistan,” he said, adding that Ronaldinho and Friends is not just one event, as Leisure Leagues has many such events planned for the country.

The ceremony was attended by a number of football fans, and Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Pirzada, former Senate chairman and former president Mohammad Mian Soomro - the global patron in chief of the World Group, the deputy head of mission at the Brazilian embassy, retired Lt Gen Javed Zia, former Pakistan Sports Board director general retired Brig Arif Siddique and others spoke at the event.

Mr Pirzada, who was invited as the chief guest, said the upcoming event was a great initiative and assured the organisers of his full support. He said it was a matter of pride to see legendary international players coming to Pakistan to play with local players.

Mr Zia said the upcoming event would authenticate Pakistan’s success against terrorism, while Mr Soomro said it would help improve Pakistan’s image.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2017