In a recent Podcast on ‘Sports Side,’ Shahrukh Sohail, an advisor to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), shared his insights on the current state and future plans for football in Pakistan. Here are some key points from the discussion:
The Role of Shahrukh Sohail in PFF
Shahrukh Sohail on his role:
“My main job at the moment is to work with the PFF in an internal capacity, to help build our entire model and structure, and to provide subject matter expertise.”
Building a Football Ecosystem
On the ecosystem approach:
“We use the word ecosystem because it not only includes the men’s senior football league, but it also includes women’s football, futsal, and youth football as a natural component.”
The Pyramid Structure
Shahrukh on the pyramid structure:
“We want to go into a pyramid structure, as seen in global football in every country. There is a pyramid tier structure with multiple leagues that go from grassroots to the top, allowing countless players to participate rather than having only two or three hundred players in a single league.”
Youth Development
On youth development:
“Your nursery is where the players come from. So, we are addressing this in the entire model. This is certainly a work in progress, and we have just started the initial process.”
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Financial Sustainability and Club Licensing
On financial sustainability and club licensing:
“Our effort is to find an international operator to work with us in Pakistan. The PFF is not handing over rights to anyone. I want to clarify that we are not handing over rights to anyone to own the football league. We believe this model is very suitable for setting up a league in a country like Pakistan.”
Avoiding the Franchise Model
Why avoid the franchise model:
“A franchise model means, for example, you have McDonald’s. You pay a franchise fee to run McDonald’s. McDonald’s doesn’t become yours; you are just running it by paying a franchise fee, and if McDonald’s shuts down, it won’t be yours. We won’t charge any franchise fee.”
Engaging Advisory Firms
On the advisory firm process:
“The RFP itself is a public document available on the PFF website, accessible to anyone. Their main tasks will be to conduct some research, model the league, handle financial aspects, and then their primary job will be to onboard the operator.”
Integrating Youth Clubs
On integrating youth clubs:
“The basic idea is to provide a pathway to integrate any club. If you start here today, you can play and see how you can move forward within the pyramid system.”
District Championships
Clarifying district championships:
“The district championships are just for election scrutiny, in the sense of which team will win and move ahead. The actual championship competition will start only when your district elections are completed, which are almost over now.”
Women’s Football
On women’s football initiatives:
“The women’s national championship is set to happen this month and in the coming weeks. Our area of focus within the league structure is to restructure it, professionalize it better, explore models under which we can gradually generate commercial income, professionalize clubs, and increase playing opportunities.”
Challenges and Vision for the Future
On the challenges faced:
“We are very early in the process, so we do face resistance. Many people have misconceptions and vested interests, but we aim to maintain transparency and integrity in our operations.”
Vision for the future:
“Our vision is to have a thriving football culture in Pakistan where players have a clear pathway from grassroots to professional levels, clubs are financially stable and competitive, and the sport can generate commercial interest and sustainability.”
Shahrukh Sohail’s vision for Pakistani football encompasses a holistic ecosystem that includes men’s, women’s, and youth football. By prioritizing sustainability, integrating a pyramid structure, and engaging with advisory firms, the PFF aims to create a robust and inclusive football environment in Pakistan.
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