LAHORE, June 26: FIFA Goal Project Development Officer Manilal Fernando said on Monday that although he had discussed the option of awarding the second FIFA Goal Project to Pakistan, a final decision in this connection would be announced by FIFA President Sepp Blatter during his visit to Pakistan.

Talking to journalists after visiting the first Goal Project, completed in Lahore, Fernando said Mr Blatter was expecting to visit the country in October and announce the decision on the second Goal Project.

The Pakistan Football Federation has already written a letter to Sindh, NWFP and Islamabad governments to allocate a piece of land if they are interested for the second Goal Project.

But so far no government has confirmed availability of the land.

Manilal was satisfied with the construction of the first Goal Project and hoped it would help Pakistan Football Federation promote the game in the country.

FIFA provided US$460,000 for the first Goal Project which was completed with a total cost of around US$765,000.

Manilal, who is also vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, said that both FIFA and AFC would spend US$700,000 on five football projects in last year’s earthquake-hit areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir.

Manilal said a German coach would also visit the areas to impart training to players.

He said all the projects would directly be run by FIFA and AFC.

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