LAHORE: Captain of Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power Football Club said, on Monday, that Pakistan is a safe venue for hosting international sporting events.

Speaking on the eve of the AFC President’s Cup in Lahore, Taiwan Power FC’s Kno Yin Hung said the negative propaganda surrounding Pakistan is hurting sports in the country.

The tournament’s qualifying round for Group B, featuring TP FC, Pakistan’s KRL and Mongolia’s Erchim football club, will get underway at the Punjab stadium.

“We are delighted to be in Lahore,” Hung said, adding that his team is looking forward to a “thrilling football event.”

Hung, whose side are the defending champions, was speaking to reporters at Fifa House.

“We had a different picture (of Pakistan) in our minds but the moment we landed at Lahore airport and went for practice sessions, our thoughts changed,”

Mongolian team Erchim FC’s captain Enkhjargal and coach Batnasan termed their team the underdogs of the tournament.

“In the presence of the defending champions and with Pakistan playing in their backyard, the task will be challenging but we are fully focused on winning,” they said.

Representing Pakistan at the event will be the Khan Research Laboratories team, who will be favourites to get good results on their home ground.

“It is not easy to beat the title holders, Chinese Taipei and a strong Mongolian side,” KRL captian Samar Ishaque said.

KRL’s Tariq Lutfi praised the talent in his team and they are fully determined to give an excellent performance.

Lutfi’s team will get the qualifiers underway on Tuesday, against Erchim FC.

Taiwan Power will face Erchim on May 10, while the last match will be played between KRL and TP FC on May 12.