Pakistani Footballers

Past, present and Future of Pakistan Football

Imran Akbar

Football is one of the most popular game in world. 209 nation play football under International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Cricket is most popular game in Pakistan but football also played and followed and it is going to be more popular with each day.

After the independence of Pakistan, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)  came into existence on 05 December 1947 and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was its first Patron-in-Chief. PFF became a full member of FIFA in early 1948. After PFF origin first ever National Championship held in May and June 1948 at Karachi. In 1950 first Pakistan National football team selected and its first official tour to Iran and Iraq in October 1950. On that tour Pakistan first ever official international game played vs Iran at Tehran. on 27th October. Pakistan lost that match by 5-1. Interesting thing is that Pakistan players played that game barefoot because there is not a trend at that time in subcontinent to wear football shoes. Osman Jan (Goal Keeper) is first Pakistani Captain on that tour . Pakistan first ever international win came in 1952 in Colombo Cup beating Sri Lanka (Ceylon at that time) by 2-0.

1960 is the most brighten era of Pakistan football when East Pakistan and West Pakistan were combine. At that time East Pakistan has well organized infrastructure as compare to West Pakistan. East Pakistan give many best players to Pakistan football team before separation in 1971. Other city which produce some great player in 60's era from West Pakistan was Karachi. In 1960's some foreign teams tour Pakistan which included Germany Bundesliga side Fortuna Busseldorf, North American soccer league side Dallas Tornado and Saudi Arabia's national team.

But 1970 is the dark era of Pakistani football, the separation of  East Pakistan and political crises cost much damage to Pakistani football. East Pakistan football is much better organized so its separation cost a severe blow to the game in Pakistan.

In 1980's football seems to be progressing again in right direction with Pakistan participating in different International tournaments and also organizing national championship. Pakistan also organize international tournaments like Quaid-i-Azam Gold cup in 1980's. Pakistan also took part in Asian Cup qualifiers, Asian Games and most importantly played first ever FIFA world cup qualifiers in 1989 for Italia 1990. Before that PFF miss qualifiers for almost 40 years.

In 1989 South Asian Games held in Pakistan and Pakistan football team won its first ever final and won Gold medal, Pakistan won 4 gold medal in South Asian Games till today (1989, 1991, 2004, 2006). In 1993 first ever SAFF Championship was held in Pakistan, won by India and Pakistan got 4th position. Pakistan best ever position in SAFF Championship was 3rd in 1997.

In 2003 Faisal Saleh Hayat won the PFF elections and became new president replacing Mian Azhar. He took good steps and Pakistan Premier League (PPL) was introduce in 2004 with WAPDA became inaugural PPL champion. Current champion of Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) is Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) FC.

If we talk about present of Pakistan football is not going well due to political issues with in PFF. Their is issue between two rival groups, one backed by FIFA (old president Sepp Blatter) and other by Pakistan government but ultimately players are suffered due to lack of football competition within country. Pakistan also miss SAFF championship and AFC U-16 and U-19 championship qualifiers in 2015 because of these political issues. Also domestic league PPFL was not held in 2015 which is big loss. During this tug of war between two groups Habib Bank Limited (HBL) terminated his football team and become a leading sponsor in Pakistan Super League (PSL Cricket League). Due to lack of International football Pakistan continuously going downward in FIFA ranking. Pakistan is currently at 187 which is 3 position above his worst ever ranking that is 190 in 2000.

As for individual players present 0is much more brighten. In 2015 Kallem Ullah (Chaman based Pakistani footballer) became first Pakistani player to play in United Soccer League (USL) for Sacramento Republic FC. Now this season he is playing for Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Many other players like Muhammad Adil, Saad Ullah, Saddam Hussain and Muhammad Ahmad played in different leagues recently. Pakistan has many Pakistani origin foreign based players who represented Pakistan National football team like Hassan Bashir, Yaqoob Butt, Yousaf Butt, Muhammad Ali and Nabil Aslam played in Denmark also Zeeshan Rehman (Zesh) played in Malaysia.

Hope fully future of Pakistan football is much brighter. As FIFA president changed now and hope fully new president take some steps and solve that PFF issue. Once that issue will be solved then football activities back in action again and football will progress forward. PFF should take some special step to make Pakistani football better with other teams improved much already. If PPFL is start televising then they get more sponsors also and more money came into football which improved our domestic league. Hope fully football fans see his national team back in action again.

  

About author

Recently graduated as Electronics Engineer. Love sports specially football and travelling.

Email: imranakbar022@gmail.com