LAHORE: Pakistan’s U-14 football team will feature in AFC’s U-14 Festival of Football being played from May 10-23 in Yad, Iran.

“We have a good track record during the past four years in the same event and we will be fielding a strong team to live upto the expectations,” said Faisal Saleh Hayat,  President of the Pakistan Football Federation on Thursday.

Hosts Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives and Afghanistan will also participate in the event.

Representatives from all 46 AFC member associations will be participating in the Festivals in their respective zones. AFC Grassroots and Youth Department has finalised the locations and dates for the year 2011. West Asia’s show will kick off in Doha, Qatar from February 13-26.

The Central Asian Festival will be held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) from April 4-17, while Beijing, China, will host the East Asian Festival from April 15-28. The Festival for Asean will take place in Sabah, Malaysia, from May 24-June 6.

The Festival is focused on increasing the football playing base, starting at the grassroots level, and providing a positive and enjoyable life experience for children.

“Preparations are well under way for the ninth edition of this annual event, which is aimed at U-14 players and encompasses all aspects of football development, from the technical skills of young players to referees to coaches. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the Festival of Football. Its popularity has grown and we expect to have more participants than ever before,” said Faisal.