Women's national football team finally gets clearance for SAFF Championship

KARACHI: In a positive development, the women's national football team finally received on Saturday a no objection certificate (NOC) to participate in the SAFF Women’s Championship. 

The team received the clearance from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) just three hours before their flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, where the event in scheduled to take place from October 17 to 30. 

The PSB had initially declined the NOC request, citing delays in the necessary documentation from the Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). 

The board had demanded the NC to submit the required paperwork to facilitate the NOC process. However, due to administrative issue, this wasn't followed and technicalities left the team in an uncertain scenario just days before the championship.

In a letter from the PSB, the board stated: “Based on the undertaking given by Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, Member, Normalisation Committee of Pakistan Football Federation, the Pakistan Sports Board has no objection on participation of Pakistan Women National Football Team to participate in SAFF Football Championship to be held in Nepal from 17th to 30th October, 2024.”

The PSB sources claimed that the board’s decision to issue the NOC was driven by a commitment to support the athletes, despite the procedural shortcomings from the PFF. The sources noted that the PSB aimed to ensure the team's participation in the SAFF Championship, recognising the importance of international competition for the development of women's football in Pakistan.

The delay in NOC approval raised concerns about the team's ability to compete, as the event features teams from across South Asia, providing a significant platform for the players to showcase their skills and represent Pakistan.

The SAFF Women’s Championship is considered an important event for the growth of women's football in the region, and the team's participation underscores a renewed focus on empowering female athletes in Pakistan.

As the team prepares for their journey, they carry the hopes of a nation looking to improve its standing in international women's football. The PSB's intervention at the last moment highlights the ongoing challenges within the administrative structures governing sports in Pakistan but also reflects a willingness to prioritise athletes' needs amid bureaucratic delays.