Key Takeaways
- Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) unveiled a five-pillar strategy for women’s football.
- The strategy aims to develop women’s football from grassroots to national level.
- It includes expanding competitions and building a talent identification system.
Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani launched a comprehensive strategy for the development of women’s football in the country. The strategy, titled 'From Paper to Pitch', is set to run from 2026 to 2030 and aims to enhance the growth and development of women’s football.
The strategy is divided into five key pillars: participation and competition, player development and high performance, education and capacity building, promotion and inclusion, and governance and leadership. Each pillar is designed to address different aspects of women’s football, ensuring a holistic approach to the sport’s development.
According to the PFF, the current women’s football structure in Pakistan includes 62 registered clubs and academies, 673 registered female players, and five certified female referees. These numbers highlight the existing framework that the strategy will build upon.
Speaking at the press conference, Gilani emphasized the significance of the strategy, stating, 'This is a historic year for women’s football in Pakistan.' He highlighted the women’s national team’s participation in a FIFA event and its improved world ranking as a testament to the progress made so far.
The strategy aims to improve the national team’s performance and develop young players. It also seeks to create sustainable opportunities for coaches, referees, managers, and leaders. Gilani said, 'We need to develop not only players but also coaches, referees, managers and leaders.'
To achieve these goals, the strategy proposes expanding grassroots and youth competitions and introducing a phased competition structure covering national, provincial, and district women’s leagues. It also calls for comprehensive player registration and a national talent identification system.
Muzghan Orakzai, Head of Women’s Football at the PFF, said, 'The objective is to establish a clear pathway for girls entering the sport at grassroots level to progress to higher levels.' This will help in creating a robust and sustainable ecosystem for women’s football in Pakistan.
The strategy also focuses on promoting and including women in all aspects of the sport, from players to administrators. It aims to create a more inclusive environment that will benefit the entire football community.
The launch of this strategy marks a significant step forward in the development of women’s football in Pakistan. It sets a clear roadmap for the growth and future of the sport, ensuring that more girls and women have the opportunity to participate and excel in football.
This is a historic year for women’s football in Pakistan.
Syed Mohsen Gilani, President, Pakistan Football Federation
We need to develop not only players but also coaches, referees, managers and leaders.
Syed Mohsen Gilani, President, Pakistan Football Federation
