KARACHI, Dec 27: Subramaniam E. R, the match commissioner of the Asian Cup soccer Pakistan-Bangladesh playoff, on Tuesday said Pakistani officials were way behind in organization and must be educated. “There were several things which should have been done but were in a disorganized manner during and before the Pakistan-Bangladesh match. The organizers lack experience and they are needed to be educated for organizing international events. However, they are receptive and willing to learn,” Subramanium told Dawn.

The AFC official said there were several instances of mismanagement which he would not have tolerated had the event was being organized in Japan, South Korea or any other developed Asian nation.

The Malaysian conceded that the Pakistan-Bangladesh game kicked off two or three minutes late because of Sindh Sports Minister Qamar Mansoor who was the chief guest. The official said it was “tolerable” but admitted that such activity could not be tolerated during other AFC or FIFA events.

“I agree that had this match been played somewhere else, I would not have tolerated such delay in kick-off,” he admitted.

Subramaniam said although the match commissioner should not get involved in any organizational matter, he had to interfere to guide the inexperienced organizers.

The official said neither the organizers played the FIFA anthem nor ceremony went according to the schedule. “The ball pickers are not allowed to play with the balls before or during the match while the situation here was reverse. Then one of the photographers was pissed off when I asked him to leave the pitch while he was shooting during the line-up.”

Subramaniam, who also served as media officer, said the organizers did not have any media officer which, he said, was vital person, while no accreditation cards were issued for the event.

“I talked to Sports Minister (Qamar Mansoor) a day before the match. He said every thing would be OK since he had recently organized SAFF championship and had the experience. But you can see everything did not go well. I would give the arrangements six points out of 10,” he said.

The match commissioner, whoever, said organizers are needed to be educated and added that he had seen worst cases in the Middle East.

“At least they listen and do as told. But I have been to Arab countries too. They simply don’t understand and don’t listen. I feel organizers here need more education.”

The mismanagement during the SAFF championship had also irked match commissioner Fouad Jaroudi, who had said, he would submit to AFC a report about the disorder.