ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football League (PFL) on Wednesday announced a cash prize of Rs1 million [$3,573] and a “prominent position” in the league for struggling footballer Muhammad Riaz, who made headlines recently after a video of him selling a popular street to make ends meet went viral on social media.
The announcement came days after Riaz, who represented Pakistan in the 2018 Asian Games, was seen in a video frying popular street snacks jalebis in the northwestern city of Hangu. The video went viral online, with netizens criticizing the government and sports bodies for ignoring the footballer.
Sports athletes in the subcontinent, including Pakistan, usually come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds before becoming household names overnight and attaining financial success.
“I on behalf of PFL would like to reward Muhammad Riaz with a prize money of Rs1 million and a prominent position in PFL as he is not only an excellent player but has also represented Pakistan at the global fronts on the soccer field,” the league quoted PFL Chairman Farhan Junejo as saying in a statement.
“And such amazing talent deserves all the support we can offer in our maximum capacity“
The PFL is a franchise league that says it is driven by a UK-based company with foreign investment solely committed to uplifting football from the grassroots to a professional level in Pakistan.
PFL said it took notice of the viral video and established contact with Riaz, describing him as a “prime example” of thousands of talented footballers who are forced to quit their profession due to financial constraints.
“PFL remains committed in its objective to revive football in Pakistan and provide international training for all other footballers like Riaz,” the league said.
Riaz thanked the PFL for recognizing the hardships he had to deal with following the previous government’s decision to suspend departmental sports.
“I am thankful to PFL for providing me an opportunity to showcase my lost love for football and ensure that I will be working together with PFL to make sure no other player remains neglected,” Riaz was quoted as saying.
The PFL said it would also make arrangements to provide Riaz training as per international standards to ensure football talent in the country doesn’t go unnoticed.
It added that PFL would also offer free football kits and training facilities to footballers in Hangu.
The plight of football in Pakistan is a tale of unfulfilled potential, administrative chaos and lack of investment. Despite a passionate fan base and a pool of talented players, the sport has suffered due to mismanagement by governing bodies, political interference and inadequate infrastructure.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been marred by internal disputes and FIFA suspensions which have hindered the development of the game at all levels.
Pakistan Football League announces cash award, job for financially struggling footballer
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Pakistan Football League announces cash award, job for financially struggling footballer
- Video of Muhammad Riaz frying popular street snack to make ends meet recently went viral on social media
- PFL says will provide training as per international standards to Riaz to ensure football talent is not neglected
Pakistan police detain teen girl radicalized online in suspected suicide bombing plot
- The girl was targeted online by the Baloch Liberation Army, which was designated as a terrorist group by the US this year
- In 2022, a female suicide bomber affiliated with the BLA killed three Chinese teachers near a university campus in Karachi
KARACHI: Police in Pakistan detained a teenage girl who was radicalized and recruited online by an outlawed separatist group to carry out a “major suicide attack,” authorities said Monday.
No criminal charges will be filed and she will be placed under state protection as “a victim rather than a suspect,” Sindh provincial Home Minister Ziaul Hassan said at a news conference.
The girl was detained during a routine police check on buses as she traveled to Karachi, the Sindh province capital, from southwestern Balochistan province to meet a handler, Hassan said.
The girl was targeted online by the Baloch Liberation Army, which was designated as a terrorist group by the United States earlier this year. The group convinced the girl that carrying out an attack would bring her honor and recognition within the Baloch community, similar to other women who have carried out suicide bombings against security forces, Hassan said.
“The girl appeared confused when police officers asked her routine questions,” said Hassan, who added that she was taken to a police facility and disclosed months of contact with militants through social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.
The girl appeared with her mother at a news conference but her face was covered and her name and age were withheld. Police showed a video statement she made with details about her contacts with BLA and how she agreed to carry out a suicide attack.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned BLA and other separatist groups for luring people toward violence and said detaining the girl prevented a potential large loss of life.
Baloch separatists have waged an insurgency since the early 2000s seeking greater autonomy and in some cases independence from Pakistan while demanding a larger share of natural resources.
Authorities said the group has attempted to increase its use of female attackers in recent years. A female suicide bomber affiliated with BLA killed three Chinese teachers in 2022 near a university campus in Karachi.
