THE purpose of writing this letter is to create awareness in society and government about the need to develop football and to gain support of the community and the government, hopefully all over Pakistan.

We have seen rapid gain of interest in football in Pakistan. Our country has some phenomenal talent in football and has the ability to introduce Pakistan in the professional world of football.

As we have seen our progression and success in cricket over the past decades such as when we won the World Cup in 1992, then I am sure the same kind of success can be attained in football. But why take the burden of doing so?

Pakistan youngsters are keenly interested in football and have showed some exquisite talent over the past years, but all this talent has not proved anything as football is ignored by officials.

Cricket is the centre of attention and rules roost. So youngsters good at football are not provided with facilities to polish their raw talent into professional skills of an international standard.

One cannot ignore the fact that players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Mark Rooney and the legend, known as the best player in the world, Brazilian Pele all belonged to poor families.

However, after being discovered by their boards, their talent was polished and eventually they became superstars of football.

The government has been overlooking this sport. Those who can introduce Pakistan as one of the greatest teams do not get an opportunity to do so.

The authorities concerned should pay attention to this sport.

AHSAN SHAHZADKharian