Popo Football Club President Haris Bin Haroon has questioned the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) over their lack of support to host a friendly match between the Popo FC U-17 team and the Afghanistan U-17 team in Jinnah Stadium.
Earlier the PSB asked Popo FC for a letter from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Interior Ministry of Pakistan.
The Popo President expressed his disappointment in a social media post where he explained the quandary he had to face to acquire the NOC.
“Totally devastated by how “after all the work we have done” we need to beg our ‘sports and facilities’ institutes to help us. And the response is “Beg Daily”. I never wanted to say this but I am so down that I may “Quit” but the responsibility of my kids on my shoulders is bigger than their reservations. The problem is very simple, they are not ready to give us NOC to host Afghanistan in Pakistan. Every department is asking for support from other departments.”
Popo FC Under-17 will host Afghanistan under-17 side on 12 October at Jinnah Stadium with their away matches taking place in Kabul. The two away matches will be held on October 5 and October 7.
“Consider this, if such things are required for a friendly encounter, nobody in the world would ever play a friendly match. Pakistan Football Federation says that as per the FIFA regulations, you are supposed to inform us, which you have done and that’s all.”
It must be noted that the Afghanistan Under-17 team defeated Uzbekistan in the final of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Championship title.
“Pakistan Sports Board says that we need the federation’s letter or a NOC from the Interior Ministry. Humanly impossible to work.”
Pakistan has not hosted a friendly match at home since 2015 when they defeated Afghanistan in Lahore by a 2-1 scoreline. It’s been 9 years since Pakistan hosted a friendly match at home.
“Thank you Pakistan Sports Board for not allowing the project of youth development in Pakistan. Sportsmen were always the most underprivileged part of this society and they will remain the same unless your policies are not flexible for real stakeholders.”
Pakistan Sports Board and the government institutions have always interfered in sporting affairs, which has resulted in delays in the issuance of documents like NOC. It often happens that the documents travel from one department to another department with no substantial progress.
The Popo President expressed his frustration towards the system, stating, “Show me a club president in the world begging for something to happen. I rest my case.”
Pakistan Football Federation has faced constant delays regarding the issuance of NOC for friendly matches but it seems like this time they will have to issue the letter to assist Popo FC to host a match in Pakistan.