Football: neglected
THIS refers to the letter ‘PFF: time to wake up’ (April 17). I agree that the PFF should play its role to ameliorate the deteriorating condition of football across the country.
We should not consider football just a game, but also a source to boost the country’s economy. This time Brazil will be hosting World Cup 2014 which will help the South American country millions of dollars.
If we build one international football stadium where international events could be played, it can help us earn revenue and contribute to our fragile economy.
Football is global game, if compared to cricket, as 200 countries around the world play this sport. A country like Pakistan, which is full of talent, can boost its economy by promoting football.
It will also felicitate our team which clinched the bronze at Street Child World Cup. The question is: will our youth get the facilities to excel in the future?
Football in Pakistan is not given as much importance and attention as cricket gets. I have seen national players at national camps like Balochistan under-14 training camp. They practise a lot, but their diet is not more than a glass of milk and allowance of Rs200 a day.
Considering this situation, it is like living in a fool’s paradise if we think we can ever appear in the World Cup.
I believe we can produce players like Messi, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, but we are missing sincerity. Talent, whether in Lyari, which is known as mimi-Brazil, or in Balochistan or in Punjab, it needs to be polished without any discrimination.
Ayaz Khan
Hub, Balochistan