The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee is facing significant challenges in securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for the national under-17 football team. The team is set to participate in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, scheduled to be held in Bhutan starting September 20.
Initially, the PFF submitted the NOC request to the PSB on August 22. However, on September 6, the PSB instructed the PFF to resubmit the application with the signature of Chairman NC-PFF Haroon Malik. The original documents were signed by Shahid Khokhar, a member of the Normalisation Committee.
Due to the tight timeline and the imminent departure of the team, scheduled for September 16, the PFF has expressed its inability to prepare and resubmit the required documentation in time. This delay poses a significant risk to the team’s participation in the championship.
Despite the issues with the initial request, the PSB has begun processing the NOC. However, the short timeframe remains a critical concern, and it is uncertain whether the necessary approvals will be finalized before the team’s departure.
The situation is causing considerable anxiety as the delay in obtaining the NOC could disrupt the team’s preparations and potentially impact their ability to compete in the SAFF Championship. The resolution of this issue will be crucial for ensuring the team’s participation and performance in the upcoming tournament.
