KARACHI: The 2022 World Cup host Qatar will provide technical and professional assistance to Pakistan to help develop football in the country, an official said on Monday.

Despite being a popular sport, lack of government support and infrastructure has held back the game's progress in the country, where cricket is the number one passion.

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said Qatar Football Association (QFA) has promised to help lift the sport after a high-level Qatari delegation met with local authorities.

The support includes youth development, training of coaches and development of women's football, it added.

According to an official PFF press release, it was also agreed that training and professional facilities to the Pakistan national team would be made available in Qatar as and when required. QFA would also assist PFF in upgrading its infrastructure and allied facilities vital to the development of football in Pakistan.

To generate interest for the game locally, the PFF is also planning on launch a football league along the lines of the cash-rich the Indian Premier League for Twenty20 cricket, pending the signing of a sponsorship deal.

The country is 171st in the FIFA world rankings.