Adil Nabi, a former West Bromwich Albion playmaker and England’s youth international, is on a mission to acquire Pakistani nationality to join the Pakistan Men’s National Team. Adil Nabi’s journey, although grueling, holds the promise of making Nabi a valuable addition to Pakistan’s football scene.
The Passport Challenge
Nabi faces a setback in his quest to participate in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers Round 2 matches in March due to delays in obtaining his Pakistani passport. The responsibility lies with the government, specifically the relevant ministries, to issue pending passports, hindering Adil Nabi’s journey of representing Pakistan’s MNT.
Would of loved to have been out there with my brother and perform in front of a full stadium in Pakistan!! But Insha’Allah have to wait abit longer🤲🏽 Huge game for Pakistan Football, can really catapult the sport in the country🇵🇰⚽️ GOOD LUCK GUYS🇵🇰⚽️ https://t.co/zFNrdiOR4D
— Adil Nabi (@NabiAdil) October 16, 2023
PFF’s Limited Role
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) can only request the relevant ministry to expedite the passport issuance if there’s a pending case. Despite completing the document verification process, Nabi still needs to apply for his passport from a specific Pakistani embassy in England.
The Timeline
Sources reveal that Nabi has been working on acquiring a Pakistani passport for over a year. After submitting his documents for verification to a Pakistani embassy in England, the Government of Pakistan verified his credentials. The next step involves Nabi applying for his passport from the same embassy, a crucial step for timely issuance.
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Embassy Location Challenge
Complicating matters, there is currently no Pakistani embassy based in Cyprus, where Nabi is playing in the Cyprus first division. This necessitates his return to the embassy in England to apply for the passport, adding an extra layer of complexity to the process.
Timing is Crucial
Securing the passport on time is imperative for Nabi to be eligible for the FIFA World Cup Qualifier game against Jordan in March. This urgency is compounded by the need for FIFA clearance, considering Nabi’s past representation of the England U-17 team at the international level.
Nabi’s Current Football Endeavours
Meanwhile, Nabi is actively engaged in the Cyprus first division, playing for Doxa Katokopias FC. The club is currently battling relegation, with only eight games remaining in the season. Nabi has contributed to the team with 17 matches played and one goal scored throughout the season.
Conclusion
Adil Nabi’s journey to get Pakistani nationality for football is tough but a Pakistan Football fan can hope for the best. Getting his passport on time is super important, not just for him but also for Pakistan’s football team preparing for global competitions.
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