AFZAL JAVED
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president Syed Mohsen Gilani led a high-level delegation in a series of important meetings with global football officials in Vancouver, Canada, ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress scheduled for Thursday.
The PFF delegation, which also includes vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah and Chief Operating Officer Shahid Niaz Khokhar, attended the 36th AFC Congress before engaging with senior representatives from several football federations.
During the meetings, the delegation held talks with German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf, Canada Soccer president Peter Augruso, Chinese Football Association (CFA) president Song Kai and Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF) vice-president Dzhalilov Iskandor.
The DFB assured Pakistan of full cooperation in key areas including coach education and women’s football development. Neuendorf also invited Pakistani players and coaches to visit Germany and benefit from its advanced football system.
In discussions with Canada Soccer, Gilani thanked the hosts for their hospitality during the FIFA Congress. Both sides explored cooperation in grassroots football, coaching courses and a possible exhibition series, while the PFF also offered support in engaging the Pakistani community in Canada.
The CFA chief praised the strong diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, calling the two nations “Iron Brothers.” China also offered assistance in futsal training, while both federations agreed to hold detailed discussions after the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Tajikistan Football Federation offered support in referee training, goalkeeper coaching and women’s football development.
The meetings formed part of an extensive diplomatic and development programme by the PFF delegation, which is expected to continue talks with several other federations to strengthen football growth in Pakistan.
