Pakistan, Lahore, Saturday, October 06, 2012
Pakistan U-14 football team is leaving for Japan on Thursday, September 6, 2012 through TG-346 at 2340 Hours PST from Allama Iqbal International Airport to take part in Kizua (Bond) Project “Japan U-14 Football Exchange Programme to Support Disaster Affected Areas,” from 9-19 October 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.
According to the press release issued here by Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President PFF wished all out success for the national U-14 team. He hoped they shall play in an outstanding manner as the peoples of Pakistan are looking for a victory by their young players. He expressed his satisfaction on their training and the ability to play well.
The detail of national U-14 football team contingents are as follows: Salman Raheem (Captain), Rashid Khan (Vice Captain), Ahmed Junaid, Muhammad Shahbaz, Saeed Babar, Wali Khan, Shahzeb, Munir Ahmed Baloch, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Shoaib, Shanoo, Zainul Abideen Ishaque, Muhammad Zohaib, Faisal Hassan, Abdul Qadeer Khan and Adnan.
The officials of the National team are Muhammad Hassan Baloch (Coach), Mirza Najeeb Ullah Najmi (Manager), Zahid Taj (Goal Keeper Coach) and Dr. Kamran Mehdi.
Pakistan has been placed in Group B with the Maldives, Nepal, JFA Academy 2 and Sri Lanka, according to the draws unveiled by the Japan Football Federation (JFF) for the Japan-SAARC U-14 Football Exchange Programme penciled in for October 9-19 at Tokinosumika Sports Centre, Tokyo, Japan. India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, JFA Academy 1, Bhutan and India have been adjusted in Group A.
Pakistan will face JFA Academy 2 in their opener on October 9 at 0630 Hours PST (6:30 AM), followed by their group game against Sri Lanka on October 10 at 0630 Hours PST (6:30 AM) and Maldives at 0630 Hours PST (6:30 PM) on October 11.
It is pertinent to mention here that this programme is financed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in order to enhance global understanding of Japan’s reconstruction efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. By the full support of the programme, Japan Football Association is organizing the U-14 Youth Football Exchange to support the exchange of youth players among the participating countries and Japan.