LAHORE: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani held a high-level meeting with Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, Ambassador of the Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation aimed at revitalizing and modernising football structures in the country.
The meeting focused on forging a structured partnership centered on grassroots development, technical training, infrastructure enhancement, and greater international exposure for emerging Pakistani players. Both sides exchanged detailed views on launching joint initiatives, technical exchange programs, and institutional collaborations to strengthen football administration and performance standards.
Speaking after the meeting, PFF President Mohsen Gilani expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s consistent support for Pakistan across multiple sectors, particularly sports. He described the Kingdom as a longstanding and sincere partner whose cooperation has always been valued by the Pakistani people.
“Pakistan possesses immense untapped football talent,” Gilani said. “Our priority is to build a sustainable foundation, strengthening grassroots academies, elevating coaching standards, modernizing infrastructure, and creating pathways for young players to gain international exposure.”
He emphasised that the PFF is implementing a comprehensive reform and development plan designed to streamline football governance and promote the sport at all levels, from schools and community clubs to professional leagues. According to Gilani, meaningful international partnerships are essential to achieving these long-term objectives.
Highlighting potential areas of collaboration, he noted that enhanced technical cooperation, specialised training camps, exchange visits for coaches and referees, and friendly matches between clubs and national sides could provide much-needed momentum to Pakistan’s football ecosystem. “Our ultimate objective is to see Pakistan secure a respectable place on the global football stage. Strategic collaboration with friendly nations like Saudi Arabia will help us accelerate progress and ensure sustainable growth.”
Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting the development of football in Pakistan. He stressed the unifying power of sports in strengthening brotherly relations between the two countries and promoting people-to-people connections.
The ambassador expressed confidence that structured cooperation in football would not only benefit athletes and sporting institutions but also contribute to broader cultural and diplomatic ties. He reiterated Riyadh’s willingness to explore practical mechanisms to translate shared intentions into actionable programs.
The meeting concluded in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination in the months ahead. Officials indicated that follow-up discussions would focus on identifying specific projects and timelines to operationalize the proposed cooperation framework.