"PFL is set to offer a huge gateway for players in Pakistan"
The Pakistan Football League (PFL) is set to revolutionise the landscape of football in a country where cricket has long reigned supreme.
Scheduled to kick off in June 2024, this new franchise-based league promises to bring a fresh wave of excitement and professional structure to Pakistani football.
Anticipation builds as fans eagerly await the inaugural season, hoping that the PFL will elevate the standard of domestic football and ignite a widespread passion for the sport across the nation.
The PFL aims to attract top talent, both local and international, providing a platform for Pakistani players to showcase their skills on a larger stage.
It also seeks to draw significant investment and sponsorship, which could enhance infrastructure and development programmes at the grassroots level.
Fans and analysts hope the PFL will not only improve the quality of the game but also create a vibrant football culture that can rival the fervour traditionally reserved for cricket.
We explore the Pakistan Football League and the opportunities it presents for players, fans and the broader sporting community.
What is the Current State of Football in Pakistan?
Football in Pakistan has been developing steadily, however, there are numerous challenges.
The main one is the Pakistan Football Federation facing internal conflicts and administrative issues over the years, leading to periods of suspension by FIFA due to third-party interference.
FIFA has intervened multiple times to resolve administrative disputes, appointing normalisation committees to manage the affairs and conduct elections.
This is the same for infrastructure, which is underdeveloped.
There are few quality stadiums and training facilities, which hampers the growth of the sport.
Although efforts are being made to promote football at the grassroots level, these are often inconsistent and underfunded.
When it comes to the playing side, the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) is the top league, however, it is a semi-professional league.
This is where the Pakistan Football League can help inspire more people to take up football as it will be Pakistan’s first professional football league.
On the national side, the men’s team has struggled in international competitions, primarily due to a lack of consistent training, proper facilities, and administrative turmoil.
The women’s national team faces similar challenges, with less exposure and support compared to the men’s team.
Nevertheless, football has a passionate fan base in Pakistan, particularly for international football.
The Launch of the Pakistan Football League
Leading up to its launch, the Pakistan Football League already has high-profile names associated with it.
Michael Owen and Emile Heskey will launch the inaugural league in the hope of inspiring 250 million people to take up football.
Owen is a brand ambassador for the PFL after agreeing in 2021 to take up the role to help devise a strategic partnership programme to unite Pakistan with the might of football.
He and Heskey will lead an international delegation from across the world in June 2024 for the exciting start of the PFL.
Officials from some of the world’s top clubs, including from the Premier League and La Liga, are reportedly lined up to visit Pakistan.
The all-new franchise football league is set to create a new sports economy which will create the very first inter-city rivalry within the country that has a 250 million population.
Heskey said: “PFL is set to offer a huge gateway for players in Pakistan but we have to get the foundation and grassroots right.
“I am excited to meet the franchise team owners and design a strategic grassroots plan for them and look forward to discussing the world of opportunities in football in Pakistan.”
The three-day visit will begin on June 3 from Islamabad before heading to Lahore for the official unveiling on June 4. It will conclude in Karachi.
Several high-profile meetings with top officials plus a football carnival in Kakri Football Stadium will take place to recognise the unsung heroes of Pakistani football.
Then will come the unveiling of the franchise teams – with several star mystery names set to be revealed.
Talks over technical, commercial and merchandise partnerships between international clubs and PFL franchise team owners will then take place behind closed doors.
The meetings are aimed at offering franchise owners insights into both local and global aspects of the football universe – a must in order to lift the quality and standards of Pakistan’s football to meet the demands of the modern game.
Owen said: “This is exactly what football needs in Pakistan.
“My initial visit in 2021 was to understand the ground reality in Pakistan.
“A professional framework is needed to overhaul the football landscape in Pakistan.
“With international partnerships proposed the franchisees are certain to uplift quality and standards of football.”
Ahmer Kunwar, President and CEO of PFL, said:
“PFL will build a robust and resilient foundation over a period of time.
“Our key pillars of success offer a modern football landscape, an ecosystem with international pathways and infrastructure designed to create Pakistan’s very own theatre of dreams.
“Our franchisees are the epicentre of PFL who will help realise the potential for those who want to rise from the streets to the stadium.”
Over 100,000 free footballs have already been given out across Pakistan to get children playing.
PFL chairman Farhan Ahmed Junejo now hopes the league’s creation will lead to a surge of top players in the future.
He said: “The first professional kick-off in this league will give a new meaning to the lives of many young aspiring children.
“My gift of distributing 100,000 footballs to Pakistan is to provide a ball to a child who wants to play football.
“PFL will be the driving force of reviving the next generation of future football stars.”
Are there any Issues?
The Pakistan Football League may have announced a series of launch events but the PFF called it an “illegal” event.
On May 24, 2024, PFF President Haroon Malik said the PFL was not sanctioned.
A statement read: “The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has categorically stated that the franchise-based Pakistan Football League (PFL), which is claimed to be held in the next month, is an illegal event as per its statutes and has not sanctioned by the federation.
“The PFF is the sole governing body for football in Pakistan duly affiliated with FIFA and the AFC.”
“The PFF’s authority is reinforced by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) vide its letter dated September 9, 2014, according to which the government only engages with national sports federations recognised by their respective international bodies.
“Participating in, organising, or supporting any football event not sanctioned by the PFF is a clear violation of Article 82 of the PFF constitution and could lead to disciplinary measures.
“Furthermore, the PFF emphasises that it encourages any project aimed at genuine football development in the country, provided it is duly approved by the federation.”
The PFL had said it had partnered with global clubs, however, it was reported that the partnerships were denied.
Despite the comments, no action has been taken.
The Pakistan Football League has the potential to boost football’s popularity in a cricket-dominated nation.
By bringing a professional and franchise-based structure to the sport, the PFL can elevate the standard of domestic football, attract investment, and draw in a broader fan base.
The league’s success could pave the way for improved infrastructure, better training facilities and enhanced grassroots development programmes, creating a sustainable football ecosystem in Pakistan.
The PFL also offers a unique opportunity to unite the country through a shared passion for football, fostering national pride and encouraging youth participation in sports.
However, the PFF’s statements about the PFL have indicated that challenges remain so it will be interesting to see what happens and if the PFL’s launch goes ahead as scheduled.
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