PESHAWAR: Former renowned national footballer and sports organizer, Shahid Khan Shinwari, has offered to the FIFA Normalization Committee to conduct the Pakistan Football Super League (PFSL) with the assistance of Argentina. This initiative aims to revive football in Pakistan and promote the sport across the country.
Speaking to the media, Shahid Khan Shinwari, known for his past contributions in organizing numerous sports activities, presented a significant challenge of hosting the PFSL in all four provinces of Pakistan, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The proposed league would also include teams from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), providing opportunities for hundreds of players.
“Our youth strongly needs football in Pakistan, and hosting the Pakistan Superb Football League will contribute to the promotion of football in every corner of the country,” expressed Shahid Khan. He emphasized that internal politics has significantly damaged the game of football, leading many players to abandon the sport. This situation has adversely affected the overall status of football in Pakistan.
Shahid Khan, who previously served as the Secretary-General (SG) of the FATA Olympic Association, has organized numerous sporting activities in the past, including the KP Governor Leagues and an International Football Cup. Under his leadership, foreign football players from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal visited Peshawar and participated in the KP Governor Football Super League, marking a historic event.
Pakistan Football Super League
The proposed football league matches are planned to be held in Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta, pending approval from the normalization committee. Shahid Khan expressed hopes that the committee will consider this initiative and ensure the organization of the football league in Pakistan, providing opportunities for aspiring players to showcase their talent.
Shahid Khan revealed that meetings have already taken place with the Argentinian Ambassador to Pakistan, who expressed willingness to support Pakistan Football by providing coaches and trainers. Moreover, young Pakistani footballers will have the opportunity to visit Argentina for the Football League. The program between Pakistan and Argentina will begin with a series of matches between the footballers of both countries, initially in Pakistan and later in Argentina.
Shahid Khan further disclosed plans to meet with Argentinian Football Officials in Islamabad and Lahore by June 1 to discuss the exchange of football players’ visits between Pakistan and Argentina. An invitation from the Argentinian Ambassador to Pakistan has already been received in this regard.
“I aim to promote football as a sport and believe that Pakistani players have immense potential. That is why we have approached the FIFA Normalization Committee for Pakistan Football, seeking permission to organize the PFSL,” concluded Shahid Khan.
