LAHORE, Jan 20: Pakistan Football Federation has launched a countrywide talent hunt programme to explore promising youngsters for the forthcoming international assignments.

Open trials for under-23 players will be held from Jan 23 to 27 at Punjab Stadium for players belonging to Punjab, Balochistan and departments. Players born on or after January 1, 1983, will be eligible to appear in the open trials. They should bring original CNICs.

Bahrain’s Salman Ahmed Sharida will conduct the trials and select national and U-23 teams. A national camp will be held for the 10th South Asia Games scheduled for Aug 17-27 in Colombo.

Some players will also be part of the national squad that will take on Jordan, Oman and UAE in 14th Asian Cup Group C qualifiers to be played on home and away basis between Feb 22 and Nov 15.