LAHORE: A young midfielder, Sarang Hote, will feature in one of the 32 international teams playing in FIFA-supported “Football for Friendship” (F4F) program in Moscow from June 8 this year.
Introducing the young footballer to media at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) headquarters (Football House) on Thursday, Fahad Khan, PFF deputy general secretary, said the “little ambassador for Pakistan” belonged to one of the remote and less privileged districts of the country — Dera Ismael Khan (DIK).
Another young footballer, Farzad Mehboob, will also join the program as a “young football journalist.” Mehboob belongs to another less privileged district — Dera Ghazi Khan.
F4F is an international children’s social program initiated by a Russian gas company, Gazprom, in 2013 and takes place every year in different parts of the world.
In the first year only eight teams participated, while the number of teams in second year, 2014, was 16. In 2015 the number of teams was 24 and the following year it grew to 32. Last year 64 teams took part and this year the teams of all 211 member countries of FIFA are showing their muscles in the global event.
F4F is an annual international children’s social program run by Gazprom, the global energy company. The goal is “to cultivate in the younger generation important values and interest in a healthy lifestyle through football,” said Khan.
The program enjoys the support not only of FIFA but also UEFA, the International Olympic Committee, football federations of various countries, international children’s charity funds and some of the world’s leading football clubs.
Khan told the journalists that it was a prestigious international platform to benefit the development of youth football in the country and nurture the global friendship of Pakistan’s talented youth.
The program requires not only football skills but also communication skills, as a part of the job of the young ambassador is to reflect his country’s positive image. The selection committee missed a very talented footballer only because of his excellence in communication skills, Khan added.
He said Hote was not only a good footballer but also a good communicator and had good knowledge of football and FIFA member countries.
“My father is a good footballer, and my elder brother as well,” said Hote. “I was inspired by their game and started playing football. It is a great honor for me to represent my country at the international forum,” he told Arab News.
Mehboob is a very good debater who has won several debate competitions and declamation contests. His added skill helped him to get the position of young football journalist and represent the country in Moscow, said Asghar Anjum, manager of the Pakistan national football team.
“I am getting more knowledge of the participant countries and the game. I’m sure I will be successful in portraying a positive image of my country,” Mehboob told Arab News.
The PFF Director of League Development and Media, Shahid Khokhar, said the participation of young football ambassadors of Pakistan in the F4F program is a good omen for the sport in the country.
“This is the first event after our restoration with a private football promoter having FIFA support. I am sure such programs will benefit us in promoting the game in the country,” he said.