Karachi, July 19 (IANS) Pakistan’s football officials are making a last-ditch effort
to get their team included in the Asian Games in China in November.
The decision to ignore Pakistan’s football team is surprising and a blow to the fastest growing sport in the country. The decision has raised many eyebrows.
A top Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) official said Monday the federation will write to Pakistan’s sports minister seeking his help.
‘Pakistan performed well in the previous Asian Games in Doha and keeping in view the team’s performance, we request the sports minister to allow the team to go to China,’ PFF secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi told The News.
‘We will do our best to convince the government to reconsider its decision,’ Lodhi said.
Pakistan had given tough fight to the teams like Japan, North Korea and Syria during the 2006 Doha Games.
‘I don’t want to go into politics, but football should have been included. Disciplines which have medal hopes should have found a place in the contingent,’ Lodhi said.
‘The decision will harm the future of the game. Pakistan’s football team is in a desperate need for exposure.’
Former Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi said: ‘We are not playing in the Olympics and World Cup, the Asian Games is the only other platform for us to face strong teams in the region.’
