LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president, Syed Mohsen Gilani, has introduced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at directly motivating players.
In a move unprecedented in Pakistan football, Gilani announced that he will disburse his allowances from attending Congress and Executive Committee meetings among top-performing players in the country.
He inaugurated this practice by handing over his allowance from the Congress meeting on 29 December 2025 to Mohammad Abdullah, a standout striker from the Pakistan Men’s Under-20 team. The presentation took place during his visit to the Jinnah Stadium, where the squad is preparing for the upcoming SAFF Under-20 Championship in the Maldives.
Gilani observed the team’s training session under head coach Shahzad Anwar and encouraged the players to give their all in the tournament, where Pakistan will face India and Bangladesh in the group stage.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting players and coaches, stating: “I’m not just the president of a federation but a president of all the players. Each player wants some form of motivation, and this is a small token of appreciation from my side. This practice will continue in the future.”
Abdullah, who became the first recipient of the president’s allowance award, had earlier impressed at the SAFF Under-17 Championship, finishing as the top-scorer with six goals and helping Pakistan reach the semi-finals. His father, former Pakistan international Tahir Pervaiz, praised the initiative, calling it a unique gesture that has never been seen before in Pakistan football.
