Australia provides Rs1.5 million grant to Pakistan Football Federation

• ISLAMABAD: The Australian Government provided the Pakistan Football Federation a grant of approximately Rs1.5 million (equivalent to A$18,000) as part of its Australian Sports Outreach Program on Tuesday.
• ‘I am delighted to announce that the Pakistan Football Federation will receive an Rs1.5 million sports development grant for 2010-11,’ said Australian High Commission First Secretary Peter Bartlett, speaking on behalf of Australian High Commissioner HE Tim George.
• ‘This funding will assist the Pakistan Football Federation implement skill development projects in eight schools in both Liyari and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as upgrade football fields in both areas.’
• The Pakistan Football Federation’s projects are the latest of several sporting projects the Australian Government has assisted over the past three years. Since 2008-09, the Australian Government has provided more than Rs7 million (equivalent to A$88,500) to various sporting bodies, including the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Netball Federation.
• Today is the first time the Pakistan Football Federation receives funding.
• ‘It is particularly pleasing to see that the projects being funded will have a strong focus on promoting youth participation in football.’
• ‘Encouraging young people to become involved in sport is a key aim of the Sports Outreach Program.’
• ‘We also hope that the Pakistan Football Federation’s initiatives will have important spillover effects on the wider community, such as promoting health and well-being, and enhancing social cohesion.’
• The purpose of the Australian Sports Outreach Program is to complement larger community development schemes, especially for youth and women, worldwide through sport and physical activity.