ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)’s President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has appointed former national men’s team coach Tariq Lutfi (PIA) as Coach of the National Women football team participating in the SAFF Women Championship.

South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) is organising an event for women football among its member nations from December 3-13 in Bangladesh.

Tariq, the first ever Fifa Coaching Instructor from South Asia, is currently the manager of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) football team that is the third in Pakistan Premier Football League, behind Wapda and Pak Army with 29 points and a game in hand.

“I noticed girls have passion for the game of football. It is a healthy sign considering the cultural barriers,” Lutfi told APP, who also played his role when Pakistan won the gold in Islamabad 1989, 2004 and Colombo 1991 SAG Games.

“Money is needed for women’s football, but what is more important is that women should be engaged and attracted to the game in this part of the world. We need sincere efforts and dedication from officials for the uplift of women soccer in Pakistan,” Lutfi added.

However, Lutfi took over charge of the national men’s team for the first time in 1985 when A.H. Shahzad led the team tour to Dhaka for the 2nd SAF Games in Dhaka.

His coaching skills were brilliant when he created a record by winning all three league matches during the 5th SAFF championship at Dhaka 2003.

His other noticeable coaching assignments were the 4th Quaid-i-Azam event, 10th Asian Games at Seoul 1986, 15th World Cup QR, Ist SAFF Championship 1993, 13th Asian Cup, 18th World Cup QR 2003 and Islamic Games, Indo-Pak Series 2005.

He was also coach of Pakistan in 26th Asian YU19 Championship 1988 at Bahrain. – APP