LAHORE, Jan 8: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Thursday asked Pakistan to launch the National League which it said was the only way to expand the base of the players.

"Without the National League, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) can't increase the number of players, their skill and stamina. I ask Pakistan to start the league as soon as possible," AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam said.

Hammam said that league in Karachi and Quetta was not enough and it should start at provincial and national levels. PFF is yet to start the league, although repeatedly asked by the AFC in the past.

Hammam said the game had suffered in Pakistan and efforts on war footing were required to boost it. He assured that FIFA and AFC were ready to help PFF to promote the sport.

"With lot of concentration, sincere efforts and media support, football in Pakistan can be promoted," he said. AFC chief said PFF would be provided coaches, technical assistance to establish and promote the game in the country.

He said AFC had provided senior and junior team coaches to PFF, but they were called back after it was observed that the programme was not yielding desired results.

Hammam, who was elected AFC president in 2002, said after taking the charge, he decided to develop the game at youth level who were the future. He felt unhappy on the lack of football infrastructure, while there were plenty of cricket and hockey stadia.

Hammam, who was here to lay foundation of FIFA Goal Project, expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in project in Pakistan despite facilities offered by FIFA and AFC.

"If the first phase had started at right time in 2001, we may have been sitting here today to launch the second phase of the project," he lamented. PFF president Faisal Saleh Hayat admitted that football was in initial stage in the country, adding hectic efforts were required to promote it.

"We have talent, but we lack in technical expertise, coaching and infrastructure. We can't achieve our targets overnight," he said. Faisal said he would run PFF as a corporate entity.

He said that Pakistan was known the world over for cricket, hockey and squash, but it had no standing in football despite having talent.