Faisal wants to take Pak to 150th in FIFA ranking
Pakistan thrashes Sri Lanka by 1-0
From Zeeshan Mirza

KARACHI—The top boss of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Faisal Saleh Hayat said that his target in 2006 was to take Pakistan to 150th in Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) ranking.
“We have created a lot of international activity for Pakistan team and that will help them to improve their ranking”, he told reporters after home team notched-up a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka.
Pakistan climbed to 167 from 173 in recent ranking of FIFA. “We are making steady progress and that is important,” he said. “Malaysia will play a series in Pakistan in 2006 while Pakistan will visit India next year besides playing in AFC home and away championship,” he said.
He said Pakistan will also be hosting AFC under-14 competition next year for which dates and venue will be decided in due course of time.
“Its a good win against Sri Lanka and it will insert new confidence in the team for coming matches,” PFF chief said.
He said newly inducted Bahrain coach Salman Sharida is playing an important role in the buildup of Pakistan and expressed the hope that players will fully utilized the opportunity to polish and improve their skill.
“Its is great occasion in Pakistan soccer history that event of this magnitude is being played here. It will definitely boost the game,” he added.
He said over 20 million of rupees has been spent on the renovation, reconstruction and improving the facilities at Peoples Stadium and PFF making is sure that money spent on the stadium should not be wasted and go down the drain.
Faisal Saleh, who is also Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs said he had asked the Sindh Government for arranging a lot of activities on this ground and hiring the services of firm for the maintenance of the Peoples Stadium.
He lauded the role of Sindh Government in staging this mega football event.
He assured the media persons that from onward proper arrangements will be made for providing quick official results to journalists. He asked the Balochistan Sports Minister Col. (Retd) Younus Changezi to make related arrangements for international and national media personnels covering the championship.