PFF chief Gilani unveils vision for Pakistan football

Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) president Syed Mohsen Gilani has laid out a bold and comprehensive vision for the future of football in the country.

With newly appointed head coach Nolberto Solano in attendance, Gilani highlighted the structural reforms, international collaborations and initiatives that mark a significant shift from the federation’s troubled past.

Emphasizing the need for transparency and professionalism Gilani reflected on the federation's immediate strides forward.

"As far as I remember, a coach like Nolberto has never come to Pakistan before. His arrival is a symbol of the direction we are heading in,” Mohsen told a news conference.

Meanwhile, Nolberto has been brought in to revolutionize football in Pakistan. “His aim is not just to coach the players but to transform the entire football culture here. From motivation to modern tactics, from team structure to player development, his presence is pivotal,” Gilani explained.

Moreover, he said Nolberto will play a leading role in coaching education. “He won’t only focus on certification but also on real-world knowledge transfer to local coaches, laying the groundwork for a sustainable coaching infrastructure in Pakistan.”

Expansion of futsal

On the other hand, Gilani also announced the formation of Pakistan’s first-ever national futsal team. The federation views futsal as a key component in player development, providing a competitive environment to enhance skills and expand the talent pool.

“We’re not just forming teams for the sake of it. The idea is to ensure they compete. With this step, we’ll create a system that enhances both grassroots and elite-level futsal in the country,” he stated.

International collaborations

PFF is actively pursuing international collaborations, as Gilani confirmed ongoing discussions and near-finalized Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several federations, including Azerbaijan, China and Saudi Arabia.

“We have talked to Azerbaijan and China. We are also looking to enter into a deal with Saudi Arabia for women’s football development. Each MoU will target specific areas, ensuring focused development instead. One MoU will focus on youth, another on women's football, another on technical expertise,” Gilani revealed.

Gilani acknowledged the slow progress in technical development over the past few years. To combat this, PFF is prioritizing the establishment of a dedicated technical department. A Technical Director will soon be appointed, who will lead efforts in coach education and curriculum development aligned with AFC standards.

“Also underway is the FIFA Arena project, a milestone infrastructure initiative. While the exact location has not been finalized, PFF has already signed agreements with FIFA, signaling a significant step toward building international-standard football facilities in Pakistan,” he said.

Challenges ahead

Despite the promising developments, Gilani admitted that financial and bureaucratic challenges remain significant. The federation currently operates without a bank account. However, he assured that the account issues are being resolved and that FIFA and AFC have shown no resistance, instead offering support.

“We are operating under difficult conditions. Running a federation without an account is a nightmare, but we’ve still managed to keep the ship afloat for over two months,” he noted.

Gilani addressed concerns over the PFF's relationship with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the issuance of NOCs (No Objection Certificates) for international competitions.

“We’ve smoothed out the process to a large extent. I’m confident that for upcoming tournaments NOC issues won’t be a barrier,” he said.

A critical aspect of Gilani’s plan is to rebuild the federation’s internal structure. The General Secretary position will now be filled through an open hiring process, ensuring meritocracy. A similar process has also begun for several staff positions.

“This isn’t about individuals, it’s about institutions. We’re laying the foundation for a transparent, accountable, and professional football body,” Gilani emphasized.