President appreciates PFF efforts in Soccer promotion
By Our Sports Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has made tremendous strides within a short time span to popularize football at all levels in the country.
“The recently witnessed increase in the activity of football under PFF President Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat is not only a record but a testament of thepopularity of the grass root-level”.
This was stated by General Pervez Musharraf, President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in a message to PFF.
“It was a matter of great pleasure and profound satisfaction to know that PFF with the help of Pakistan Sports Board had organized an historical eight-team soccer event for women. The women of Pakistan had always remained active in many othersports like Athletics, Badminton, Table Tennis,Squash, Swimming besides others”.
“IR Pakistan through its democratic values has always endeavored to provide fair and equal rights to its women nationals. The active participation of women in sports, politics, business and other professions, side by side their male colleagues is a strong and clear message to the civilized world that IR Pakistan is a progressive, liberal and moderate Islamic Societywhich truly believes and supports fair play in all walks of life.” he added.
He further said Football, the game of power and above all a game of Fair Play, as a unique standard set forth by the game’s ruling body FIFA, is the world’s No.1 game, having active participation of 207 nations. The phenomenal craze associated in the sporthas evoked strong passion among the women on a global scale”.
“The football in Pakistan, I am confident will contribute to not only a sport of comradeship and healthy competition both on and off the field but significantly enhance values, mutual respect, fair play and develop a strong culture of discipline amongst the Pakistani women”, he maintained.
In the end he wished organizers all the success for their future assignments and extends the participants of First National Women Football Championship good luck and hoped that these females would always hold high proud banner of Pakistan and try their best to bring laurels for the nation.