ISLAMABAD: Secretary General of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi has criticized the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) for excluding football from the 31st National Games to be held in Peshawar next month.

“These types of decisions will send negative impressions to all those who are associated with the game or want to seek their future in it,” Lodhi told APP, adding that the decision to exclude football has raised several eyebrows.

“It is a game which is watched in almost every part of the country but the way it has been treated is insulting. All the World Cuppers, Olympians are furious over the omission and are looking forward to condemn this ruling in every possible way.”

Lodhi has written a letter to POA President Syed Arif Hasan of which a copy is provided to Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General and Ministry of Sports.

“The decision of excluding this game from the eagerly awaited National Games is absolutely incorrect and very damaging for the development of football in Pakistan,” Lodhi expressed.

He stated that there are over 60,000 registered football players in Pakistan and the number of unregistered players, according to a rough estimate is more than one million.

“These players look forward to representing their regional / provincial teams in the National Games and these games also provide a very good opportunity for talent hunting to PFF but by excluding this major game, the POA has not only hurt the keen youth of Pakistan involved in football but has also deprived PFF from a talent hunt opportunity.”

Lodhi has strongly recommended the concerned authorities to review this decision and asked for the game of football to be included in the forthcoming National Games.

Meanwhile, former national skipper Ghulam Rabbani also lambasted the National Games organisers and suggested them to change the name of the event.

“The National games should be renamed as indoor games,” said Rabbani.

“I condemn the awful decision to expel lovely game of football. I request the President and the Prime Minister to look into this matter.” – APP