In what has become a matter of routine, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has once again denied the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), this time for the women’s football team, jeopardizing their participation in the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship.
The PSB cited delayed submission of the NOC request and missing signatures from key Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) officials as reasons for the rejection. While the tournament is fast approaching, the lack of necessary paperwork has created significant uncertainty regarding the team’s involvement in the prestigious regional event.
This marks yet another episode where the PSB and PFF have seemingly been at loggerheads. Previously, the PSB also denied the NOC for the u17 team set to travel for the SAFF u17 Championship, which was handled at the umpteenth hour.
PSB and PFF have also butted heads a few times with regards to usage and condition of Jinnah Stadium Islamabad for FIFA standard football matches. The denial of the NOC not only threatens the team’s competitive opportunities but also casts a shadow over Pakistan’s image in international sports.
Fans and players alike are hoping for a resolution that will allow the team to represent the nation and participate in the championship. Whether the NOC can be obtained in time remains to be seen. The SAFF Women’s Championship is slated to take place from October 17 to 30 in Nepal.
