LAHORE: In a landmark declaration that signals a fundamental shift in priorities, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani has announced that “every year will be the year of women’s football in Pakistan.” The commitment came during the first-ever PFF Women’s Football Symposium held in the capital, bringing together stakeholders from football, development sectors, and government to chart a strategic roadmap for the women’s game.
The symposium, a historic first for the PFF under its newly-elected administration, served as a platform to exchange ideas on strengthening women’s football while outlining concrete initiatives aimed at moving beyond rhetoric to sustainable action. For a country where women’s sports have historically struggled for recognition and resources, the gathering represented a potential turning point.
Gilani, speaking at the symposium, highlighted the recent rise of Pakistan women’s football on the international stage – most notably the national team’s historic 8-0 victory at the FIFA Series in Abidjan last month. He noted that during the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Pakistan women’s football had become “the talk of the town” – an unprecedented moment of global recognition.
However, the PFF president was careful to caution against complacency. “Women’s football cannot only be about the national team; it is also about the ecosystem – players, coaches, referees and fans,” he said. “It’s not about glam and gloss, there has to be substance.”
In a pointed acknowledgment of the need for structural change, Gilani also emphasized that women should lead women’s football structures – a principle that, if implemented, would represent a departure from traditional administrative models in Pakistani sports.
Chief Guest Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, Member of the National Assembly, congratulated the federation on the women’s national team’s recent achievements – including their FIFA Series campaign, participation in the SAFF Futsal Championship, and AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers. She noted that Pakistani women continue to break barriers when given opportunities, and called for sustained support.
Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, Secretary of the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), announced concrete plans for a national schoolgirls football tournament – a grassroots initiative designed to identify talent at the youngest possible age. He also pledged institutional support in logistics, grounds, and equipment, bridging a gap that has historically hindered women’s sports development.
