England football legend Michael Owen arrives in Pakistan

Published January 25, 2022
Former English football player Michael Owen arrives in Islamabad on Tuesday. — PTV Sports Twitter
Former English football player Michael Owen arrives in Islamabad on Tuesday. — PTV Sports Twitter

Former England football Michael Owen arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in various football related initiatives and meet high-level officials.

PTV Sports, in a tweet, welcomed Owen to Islamabad, saying he will promote international football in the country in collaboration with Global Soccer Ventures (GSV).

The state broadcaster added that Owen will attend a dinner hosted by President Dr Arif Alvi and a meeting with Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa is expected as well, while a press release issued by GSV said the former footballer would meet Prime Minister Imran Khan too.

Owen, who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United in an illustrious career, will also lay the foundation stone of a football stadium in Karachi and outline a programme to revive the sport in Pakistan.

He had earlier posted a message on Twitter on Jan 23, saying he was "thrilled" to play his role in helping GSV in its effort to revamp the sport in Pakistan. "Look forward to seeing you soon," he had said.

Owen had signed a three-year deal in September to become the official ambassador of the Pakistan Football League (PFL). Owen's "hybrid role" will include creating a global professional gateway for new Pakistani footballers who can adapt to the modern form of the game.

The Pakistan Football Federation led by Ashfaq Hussain Shah had signed a partnership with GSV in August to launch the PFL and upgrade the infrastructure for football in the country.

The private venture announced last month it had struck a special strategic partnership with the prime minister's Kamyab Jawan programme in a bid to groom Pakistan's football talent.

The partnership, which had the prime minister’s blessing, “offers the talented youth in Pakistan the dreams of playing football in world-class stadiums and advance their skills at the home of football in the United Kingdom”, GSV had said in an issued press release.

Opinion

Editorial

Road ahead
Updated 06 Mar, 2025

Road ahead

While govt has achieved success in macroeconomic stability, it has failed to improve social conditions, address political instability.
Restoring hope
06 Mar, 2025

Restoring hope

THE disillusionment of Balochistan National Party chief Akhtar Mengal should give all democratically inclined...
Cruel customs
06 Mar, 2025

Cruel customs

THE recent rescues of two Asian black bears — Rocky from Jauharabad and Sunny from Jhang — remind us how the...
Terrorism challenge
Updated 05 Mar, 2025

Terrorism challenge

Pakistan has few options but to cooperate on the counterterrorism issue with Kabul.
Ad ban
Updated 05 Mar, 2025

Ad ban

This publication always takes into consideration multiple angles when making editorial decisions.
Demand for solar power
05 Mar, 2025

Demand for solar power

A GREAT solar rush across Pakistan is transforming the nation’s energy landscape. Households and businesses are...