Brazilian Ambassador praises Faisal as Shehzad Anwar gets a trip to Brazil!

                         

Unopposed Provincial FA elections expected

The scrutiny of nomination papers of the candidates from Punjab and Balochistan was held on 28 April 2011 by the respective Election Commissioners for the 2011 Elections for Provincial FAs across Pakistan.
The nomination papers of following individuals from Punjab were rejected as these were not submitted to the Election Commissioner in accordance with the 'PFF Election Rules and Directives 2011'.
Punjab
1. Mr Raja Amer Khan    Candidate for post of President, Punjab FA
2. Mr Muhammad Khalid    Candidate for post of Vice President, Punjab FA
3. Mr Mujeeb ur Rehman    Candidate for post of Vice President, Punjab FA
The nomination papers of following individuals are accepted as their nominations paper fulfill all requirements of 'PFF Election Rules & Directives 2011'. Since, there are no other contestants, as such these candidates are elected unopposed to their respective positions:-
Balochistan
1 Haji Khalil Ahmed        President, Balochistan FA
2. Mir Inayat Ullah Baloch        Vice President, Balochistan FA
3. Mr Sana Ullah            Vice President, Balochistan FA
4. Mr Saif Ullah Baloch        Vice President, Balochistan FA
5. Mr Ayaz Zahoor Advocate       Member, PFF Congress
6. Mir Muhammad Jan Marri        Member, PFF Congress
7. Mir Khuda Baksh            Member, PFF Congress

Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa
1. Syed Zahir Ali Shah        President, KPK FA
2. Syed Ishfaq Hussain Shah        Vice President, KPK FA
3. Mohammad Saeed Khan        Vice President, KPK FA
4. Mohammad Saleem Awan        Vice President, KPK FA
Punjab
1. Muhammad Arshad Khan Lodhi    President, Punjab FA
2. Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada        Vice President, Punjab FA
3. Malik Salah uddin Dogar        Vice President, Punjab FA
4. Muhammad Naseem Khan Niazi    Vice President, Punjab FA
5. Raja Muhammad Ishtiaq        Vice President, Punjab FA
6. Khalid Iqbal Sheikh        Vice President, Punjab FA
Sindh
1. Syed Khadim Ali Shah        President, Sindh FA
2. Muhammad Iqbal        Vice President, Sindh FA
3. Azam Khan            Vice President, Sindh FA
4. Mir Yaqoob Ali Shah        Vice President, Sindh FA
5. Fateh Mohammad        Vice President, Sindh FA

The Life of Akber Wahidi (1957-2011)

Legendary sports writer, journalist, statistician, enthusiast, promoter, and PFF Media Manager, Syed Akber Ali Wahidi was found dead in his hotel room in Faisalabad this morning on Monday, 25 April 2011 at 9 AM. He was 53 years old, with cause of death determined as cardiac arrest suffered during his sleep.

The late Akber Wahidi was in Faisalabad to cover the final games of the 21st NBP National Football Challenge Cup 2011 on special invite of tournament organiser Rai Saif ur Rehman Bhatti. He had just enjoyed the nail-biting semi-final between KRL and Army at Bohranwali Ground on 24 April 2011 and was in good spirits. But his passing away just 8 hours after the end of the game in his hotel room has broken many hearts across Pakistan.

His body will be brought by air from Faisalabad to his native city of Karachi for burial later today. He leaves behind a widow, young son Ahmed Wahidi, mother, sister, and brother as mourners.

Akber Wahidi was famed for his sharp memory and enthusiasm for compiling statistics, records, history, and trivia related to both football and field hockey. He was often called the Walking Encyclopedia of Football. So much was his knowledge about the beautiful game, that even the football authorities around the world had to stand up and notice his remarkable memory and enthusiasm for the game.

In 2003, he acheived considerable fame when he wrote to FIFA and asked them to correct their record books for fastest goals scored from kick-off in a FIFA World Cup match. He pointed out that Václav Mašek of Czechoslovakia should be in second place for fastest goalscorer when he scored after just 16 seconds against Mexico in 1962 World Cup, rather than FIFA's then-second placed record holder Bryan Robson of England who scored after 27 seconds against France in 1982 World Cup. The fastest goal scored was by Turkey's legendary captain Hakan Şükür after just 11 seconds against South Korea in 3rd/4th place play-off in 2002 World Cup.

FIFA was surprised at this information and immediately acknowledged their mistake and sent Akber Wahidi an honorary letter thanking for his contribution and knowledge. In 2010, he was sent a special ticket by FIFA to vist and cover a match in the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa on FIFA's own expenses. He stated later that visiting and watching a FIFA World Cup game inside a stadium live was his dream come true.

Born on 7 August 1957, the late Akber Wahidi completed his BA in Civil Engineering from Karachi's renowned NED University of Engineering  & Technology as a youth, but decided not to pursue a career in Civil Engineering and instead focused on writing about his one true love: football.

From 1974, Akber Wahidi was involved in football & sports journalism and wrote fluently in both Urdu and English news articles. He first became renowned when he began writing exclusively for Urdu magazine 'Khel ki Dunya' that was owned by late sports journalist and Wahidi sahib's own mentor Alauddin Ghauri. Akber Wahidi would interview and profile the various football players and football teams across Karachi and rest of Pakistan, and showed immense dedication to his passion that won him many fans across Pakistan's football fraternity and sports journalism circles.

In 1992, Akber Wahidi became personally affiliated with the National Football Championship which was sponsored by Lifebuoy Soap for the first time Pakistani football history. As media in-charge for the tournament, Akber Wahidi's unprecedented coverage of the event brought the national media to take strong notice of almost every game and every result that was witnessed throughout Pakistan.

Eventually, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) took notice of Akber Wahidi's tremendous knowledge, writing skills, and experience and made him Media Manager in 2004; a post he kept with full honour and committment till his shocking demise today.

A simple man, he did not let his fame as a sports journalist affect his humbleness and modesty throughout his life. He was offered a better pay to become Media Manager of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) many times but he flatly refused each time to give up his love and loyalty towards football.

He also won many admirers across the South Asian region with many sports journalists from Nepal, India, Bangladesh etc regarding him as one of their own. Akber Wahidi was also Executive Editor of the now defunct Karach-based Urdu-language football gazette 'Monthly Football Magazine' where he worked with his close friend and protégé Riaz Ahmed

Akber Wahidi also had a very close and personal friendship with FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC) since 2001. He got in touch with a young Malik Riaz Hai Naveed and supported the fellow's dream of giving Pakistani football a voice on the internet media which would evolve into FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC) in 2003. Akber Wahidi was always enthusiastic about supporting FPDC and provided its growing staffers with up-to-date Pakistani football news, statistics, reports, histories, content etc for almost 10 years without a pause. The FPDC team regarded him as one of their own because of his dedication to football and willingness to let the world read about it.

His death has given Pakistani football journalism and media involvement a huge blow because no one can be as enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and eloquent as Akber Wahidi was throughout his life.

The PFF Officials expressed immense sadness and shock regarding Akber Wahidi's sudden demise. PFF President Mahdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, General Secretary Col (Retd) Ahmedyar Khan Lodhi, Director Operations Wing Commander (Retd) Pervez Saeed Mir et al. fondly recalled his enthusiasm for the beautiful game and prayed for the departed soul and his grieving family.

Others wishing their prayers and dedications to the late Akber Wahidi include sports journalist Riaz Ahmed, FPDC Webmaster Malik Riaz Hai Naveed, FPDC Chief Editor Ali Ahsan, FPDC editor Gauhar Mahmood Azeem, FPDC staffers M. Shahnawaz and Zaka Ahmed Gondal, PMC Athletico Faisalabad President Saif ur Rehman Bhatti, PMC Athletico Media Manager Waheed Nagra, former PFF officials M. Muslim Butt and Faisal Amir Khan, SSGC head coach Nasim Ahmed, Sindh FA chairman Ghulam Abbas Baloch, senior vice chairman Syed Khadim Ali Shah, national coach Tariq Lutfi, Karachi Zone West FA chairman Zafar Iqbal, secretary Rahim Bakhsh, Karachi Malir FA chairman Fateh Muhammad Baloch, secretary Shahid Taj, Karachi Zone South FA chairman Gulab Baloch, secretary Jan Muhammad, Murad Bakhsh, Karachi Zone East FA chairman Abdul Malik Khan, secretary Ubaid Ullah, Karachi Zone Central FA chairman Aqeel Tazeem Naqvi, secretary Asif Zaheer, member Abdul Karim, former international Saleem Patni, Karachi United FC director Taha Alizai, National Soccer Academy chairman Arshad Jamal, senior vice chairman Asif Khan, Khalid Majeed, Saleem Arif, Syed Usman Shah, Usman Baloch, Master Riasat Ali, Mirza Anees Baig, Rasheed Khan, Karim Bakhsh Chandio, et al.

May the departed hero of Pakistani football rest in peace, and may the grieving family have the patience and resolve to overcome the passing away of their beloved one.

A short biography by Riaz Ahmed and Ali Ahsan about the life of Syed Akber Ali Wahidi, the late PFF Media Manager and football enthusiast who was found dead in his hotel room in Faisalabad this morning.

KESC reach NFCC 2011 Final, beat PIA on penalties 4-2

Just like the 1st semi-final between KRL and Army, it took another penalty shoot-out to decide winner of the 2nd semi-final of 21st NBP National Football Challenge Cup 2011 between KESC and PIA today (25 April 2011) at Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad.

The occasion was significantly marred by the earlier death of PFF Media Manager Syed Akber Ali Wahidi in the morning of the game. In his memory, there was a special prayer and applause done by both teams, officials, guests, and spectators before kick-off. The match was also attended by chief guest Syed Naveed Asghar, Senior VP of National Bank of Pakistan.

KESC were missing services of star striker Muhammad Rasool, who suffered injury in group stages that ruled him out for rest of tournament as they failed to score. The match was further compounded by a fine save by PIA goalkeeper Bilal Rafique to stop KESC skipper Muhammad Essa from giving his side the lead with a 43rd minute penalty kick before half-time. The match eventually ended 0-0 after 90 minutes as both sides failed to score from the chances they had, leading to extra time.

After a scoreless 1st half of extra time, the match exploded into late frenzy as PIA skipper #10 Nasrullah Khan gave his side a 1-0 lead in 109th minute that looked like it would be enough to see them through to face former coach Tariq Lutfi and his KRL side in final. But KESC veteran striker and vice-captain #10 Aurangzeb Shahmir equalised in 115th minute as extra time eventually finished all-square at the end, leading to the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Pishin hosts teams from Ziarat and Chaman for Sports Festival

Pishin District of Balochistan province recently concluded a Sports Festival Week at Taj Lala Stadium, inviting various school and college teams from neighbouring Ziarat and Qilla Abdullah (Chaman) districts of Balochistan to take part in Cricket and Football events.

Pishin teams completed clean sweep in all the sports events over their neighbouring districts, including the Pishin Girls College teams facing similar victories in female events.

The concluding ceremonies of the Pishin Sports Festival Week was attended by chief guest Muneer Ahmed Badini, Balochistan Sports Secretary, who praised the arrangement of such events for young students.

He said that young people can only succeed in life when they concentrate fully on their studies and participate in sports to encourage healthy activity and thrill in a safe environment that helps to stay away from the vices of society as well as poor health.

Muneer Badini also said the Balochistan Govt is doing its utmost to encourage and facilitate sports activities and events to create world class sportsmen from all ages to compete at national levels, as well as vowing to improve sports facilities in Pishin District.

The event was also attended by Pishin District's Education Officer Rasheed Tareen, DPO Asad Nasir, Sports Officer Idrees Khan, and Pishin Press Club President Saad Ullah Jan Tareen.

PMC Athletico President Saif Bhatti expresses deep sorrow at Akber Wahidi’ sad demise

The entire Pakistan football fraternity was today shook by the sad, unexpected demise of Akber Wahidi, the pen to Pakistani football. From officials to fans, from journalists to students of NED, his alma-mater, all are grieved at this devastating news.

One person especially aggrieved is PMC Athletico President and NBP Challenge Cup organizer Rai Saif Ur Rehman Bhatti, as Wahidi passed away whilst his guest at the event.'I cannot express my feelings, I feel as I have lost myself somewhere. We have lost a great man. He died in my own arms and as my guest, you can't even imagine the pain.'' Saif Bhatti said when asked about Wahidi' death.

He added, 'I called him on the 19th of April and inquired why he hadn't come to Faisalabad to cover the Challenge Cup. He replied this assignment wasn't given to him. I asked him on personal behalf to come as my special guest to witness and cover the event as only he could. He accepted my invitation and came to Faisalabad on the 21st of April and I provided him the best possible stay available and my best hospitality. He was enjoying it here, and was covering the event, and also appreciated my efforts in organizing this event which are comments I now cherish. This is the least I could do such a humble man, who can be best known as a Malang.

It was alarming when I received a call from (PFF Manager Competitions) Rauf Bari at 9:15 am today telling me that Akber Wahidi is not responding, I reached there as soon as I could to find rescue 1122 declare him dead. What an unrepairable loss indeed.'

When asked if he would ask the PFF management to dedicate the final or an award to Akber Wahidi, Saif Bhatti said he will try his best to make that possible, and that he had ensured the stadium sound system today lay silent for a minute today to honour Wahidi and a Dua was offered for his forgiveness.

'In two or three days with him, I got to know what a dynamic man he was. He was a civil engineer and I was surprised by his humility and his love for football, which was un-paralleled. Football may never recover from this loss.' He concluded.

DFA Nawabshah Chairman praises King Baloch FC

The successful King Baloch Football League Championship in Nawabshah by local side King Baloch FC brought praise and felicitations from Yaqoob Baloch, the Chairman of District FA Nawabshah. He also stated the importance of such events to help promote football across the Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad) District.
The DFA Chairman met club chairman Faiz Muhammad Baloch and congratulated King Baloch FC for organising the event with 6 of its own teams participating in the King Baloch Championship. King Baloch beat King Baloch Green in final on penalties a few weeks ago to win the event, with national football organiser Master Riasat Ali present as chief guest
.

NFCC 2011: Day 5 results

Results of 21st NBP National Football Challenge Cup 2011, Day 5 (18 April 2011) in Faisalabad

Match #13: KESC vs Pakistan Railways. KESC win 4-3.
Ground: Agricultural University Ground, Faisalabad
Scorers: (KESC) #9 Muhammad Rasool (10,71,77 min) and #17 M Riaz (55 min). (Railways) #7 Imran (67 min), #4 Waseem Abbas (80 min), and #8 Usman (86 min).
Cautions: (Railway) #1 Aqeel Ahmed, YC 19
Match Commissioner: Mr. M. Iqbal Jr.
Referee Assessor:
Referees: Rana Naseer, Muzammil, Hafiz Irfan, Mian Shahbaz

Match #14: PMC Athletico vs Pakistan Army. Army win 1-0.
Ground: PMC Ground, Faisalabad
Scorers: (Army) #35 Ikram (45 min).
Caution: (PMC) #19 Ejaz Ahmed, YC 41min, (Army) #12 Mickal YC 72min
Match Commissioner: Mr. Naveed Butt
Referee Assessor: Mr. Qazi M. Asif
Referees: Khuram Shahzad, Jehangir Khan, Adnan Anjum, Iftikhar

Match #15: WAPDA vs National Bank. WAPDA win 2-1.
Ground: Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad
Scorers: (WAPDA) #9 Shahid Baloch (5 min) and #5 Ayaz Baloch (54 min). (NBP) #11 Misbah (90+3 min)
Caution: (NBP) #19 Waseem Qadir YC 56min, Farooq Shah YC 57 min, 25 Amir Siddique YC 38min. (Wapda) #17 Naeemullah YC 66 min+YC 73 min=RC 73 min
Match Commissioner: Mr. Ahmed Ali
Referee Assessor: Mr.
Referees: Shafaat Habib, Irshad ul Haq, Aamir Bhatti, Irfan Aslam

Match #16: Pakistan Navy vs Ashraf Sugar Mills. Navy win 1-0.
Ground: PMC Ground, Faisalabad
Scorers: (Navy) #19 Asif Bakhsh (45+1 min)
Caution: (ASM) #16 Mazhar YC 85 min+ YC 91 min=RC 90+1 min, #17 M. Arif YC 89 min
Match Commissioner: Mr.Naveed Bashir Butt
Referee Assessor: Mr. Qazi M. Asif
Referees: Waheed Murad, Rana Jehanzeb, M. Ayub, Shoaib Baig

 omorrow on 19th April, 2011 matches: match # 17 PAF VS KRL at Bohranwali ground at 14:00 hours, match # 18. ZTBL vs HBL at PMC Ground at 14:00 hours. Match #. 19 KPT vs PIA at Bohranwali Ground at 16:00 hours and match # 20. PTV vs POLICE at PMC Ground at 

16:00 hours.

FIFA World Cup Pre-Qualifing Round 2014

Palestine returns friendly series with Palestine National team to be played at Ramallah and Hebron 
– Palestine from 24 to 30th May 2011. 

First match on May 24th on Faisal Al-Hussain International Stadium. (Ramallah) 

Second Match on May 26th Al-Hussein Stadium, Hebron 

For Training Camp National Coach Mr. Tariq Lutfi has Selected 42 players for Palestine tour and 
World Cup pre-Qualifying round against Bangladesh on 29th June at Dhaka Bangladesh and on 
3rd July, 2011 at Lahore Pakistan . Training camp will be starting from 6th May 2011 at Lahore. 

PAF Dominate First Session : Thrash HBL 3-0

Lahore, 14 April: PAF opened their onslaught with 3-0 win over HBL in the Opener of 21st National Bank Football Cup will commence on Thursday, 14 April at Bohranwali Ground, situated on Club Road, near Bagh-i-Jinnah Thursday. It was the clash between two former National Champions of 80s, Pakistan Air Force and Habib Bank Limited that yielded all theee goals in the first session. HBL failed to create any impression. It was Group B clash where other two teams are holders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and first timer Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) 

PAF completely dominated the first session and their repeated attacks allowed them the opener in the 24th minute when midfielder Muhammad Arif Nawaz steered the ball inti net from close range. Nawaz is the player from Toba Tek Singh while Kohat-born Amir Khan gave tense moments to bankers with the second in the 30th minute. It was all over when Shahkot-born Irfan Ali hit the back of the net in the 36th minute. 

Earlier the event was inaugurated by Khawaja Shahid Razzak Sikha, President, Anjuman Tajiran, Faisalabad. 

Friday (15 April) Fixture: PIA v Pakistan Television (Bohranwali Ground 2 PM), ZTBL v KRL (PMC Ground 2 PM), KPT v Police (PMC Ground 4 PM