LAHORE: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) officials engaged in a brainstorming session with the two-member FIFA delegation currently visiting the country on Saturday to look at how to promote the sport in Pakistan.
In the past three years, the country’s football grounds were largely neglected after the international soccer body suspended Pakistan’s membership, making it impossible for the PFF to benefit from FIFA’s Forward Development Program.
However, the world football governing body recently lifted the ban on PFF after the federation’s legitimate management, headed by Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, was restored by a court ruling.
FIFA has now consented to resume its development plan in Pakistan and, as the first step, the Asian Football Confederation has approved a grant of $300,000 for the restoration of the PFF headquarters, Football House.
To discuss the current state of the sport in the country, a two-member special delegation, headed by FIFA’s Regional Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam, arrived in Lahore on Friday.
The delegation discussed the world body’s Forward Development Program with the PFF president and other executive committee members.
According to the FIFA website, “FIFA Forward is a step change for global football development and the way we share the success of the FIFA World Cup with our member associations ... The aim is to improve the way we develop and support football across the globe, so that the sport can reach its potential in every nation and so that everyone that wants to take part can do so without barriers.”
The delegation visited Football House and examined the building’s dilapidated state.
According to FIFA’s website, the Forward Development Program gives “each association … access to $750,000 per year for football projects such as pitches, competitions and women’s football. And every association also receives up to $500,000 per year for running costs in areas including administration and governance.”
FIFA delegation and PFF officials discuss football’s future in Pakistan
FIFA delegation and PFF officials discuss football’s future in Pakistan
Muchova beats Mboko in Qatar final to end title drought
- Her title run in Doha will lift her from 19 to 11 in the world rankings
DOHA: Karolina Muchova captured her first WTA 1000 crown and her first title since 2019 with an impressive 6-4, 7-5 victory over Canadian teen sensation Victoria Mboko in the Qatar Open final on Saturday.
After battling back from a set and a break down in the semifinals against Maria Sakkari the previous night, Muchova, 29, was in fierce form against Mboko to clinch the biggest title of her career.
“It’s been a while since I won a tournament, so it’s nice to get that feeling again, to be reminded of that victory feeling again,” said Muchova during the trophy ceremony.
“I’d like to congratulate Victoria; you’re still a teenager but you play with so much maturity. I’m sure you have many titles ahead of you.”
A former French Open finalist, Muchova’s career has been hampered by injuries but she has started 2026 in fine fashion, amassing a 12-2 win-loss record over the past six weeks.
Her title run in Doha will lift her from 19 to 11 in the world rankings, while Mboko guaranteed herself a top-10 debut on Monday by making the final.
Muchova put together a clean opening set, landing an impressive 75 percent of her first serves, and dropping just three points behind that first delivery.
The Czech faced zero break points across the 43-minute set and showcased her prowess at the net to take a solid step toward the title.
Mboko made adjustments on return in the second set, and managed to decode her opponent’s serve to carve a 4-2 gap but her advantage was short-lived as Muchova broke twice and wrapped up the contest in 94 minutes.
The 19-year-old Mboko has the most match wins on the women’s tour this season with 13 to just three defeats. She will rise to No. 10 in the world on Monday.
“It’s not the outcome I wanted but I think there’s many positives to take away,” said Mboko, who was competing in her fourth WTA final, and second at the 1000 level.
