![Pakistan WNT denied NOC for SAFF [Geo Super]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Zahmena-Malik-in-Pakistan-WNT-training-camp-in-Islamabad.jpg "Pakistan WNT denied NOC for SAFF [Geo Super]")
by Faizan Lakhani
KARACHI: The participation of the Pakistan women’s football team in this month’s South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship is in doldrums as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) refused to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC).
The tournament is scheduled to be held from October 17 to 30 in Nepal.
In a letter sent to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), the PSB cited delays in submitting the request and the absence of the required signature from the chairman of the Normalisation Committee (NC). These issues led the PSB to decline the NOC request.
The PSB had previously reminded the PFF on September 12 about the necessary protocols for obtaining the NOC.
However, the football federation’s submission was not only delayed but also lacked the signature of the NC chairman. The PSB stated that such omissions made it impossible to process the application.
In the letter, the sports board noted: “Since the instructions issued by the PSB have not been followed, we regret to inform you that, due to time constraints and non-compliance with our procedural requirements, the PSB is unable to process the NOC request for participation in this event.”
Sources within the PFF confirmed that the NOC request for the SAFF Women’s Championship was submitted on September 16. However, the request was signed by NC member Shahid Khokhar instead of chairman Haroon Malik.
The Pakistan women’s football team is currently holding a training camp in Islamabad, with plans to depart for Nepal on October 12.
The absence of the NOC, however, raises uncertainty about the team’s participation in the tournament.
Pakistan football teams have faced similar challenges with NOC issues in the past, leading to tensions between the PFF and PSB.
While last-minute resolutions have been achieved in previous instances, this time, the matter remains unresolved.
Published in Geo Super, 8 October 2024
The News adds:
PSB denies NOC to Pakistan women’s football team for SAFF championship
by Abdul Mohi Shah
ISLAMABAD: A couple of days before the team’s departure for the South Asian Women’s Football, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) denied the traveling NOC, jeopardising Pakistan’s participation.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman Normalization Committee (NC), the PSB’s letter says that due to time constraints and failure on the part of the NC Chairman to sign the surety bond himself, permission for the team’s travel abroad has been denied.
“It is observed that the documents related to the current case are not signed by the Chairman, and the submission was made beyond the prescribed time. Since the instructions issued by the PSB have not been followed, we regret to inform you that, due to time constraints and non-compliance with our procedural requirements, the PSB
is unable to process the NOC request for participation in this event,” says the letter written by the PSB to the Chairman NC on Tuesday.
“After scrutiny of documents, it was observed that the case for NOC was submitted at a belated stage in violation of guidelines . . . available on PSB’s Official Website. Late submission of cases causes embarrassment for the PSB.”
It was also observed that as per instructions, the Surety Bonds, Undertakings etc. should be duly signed and stamped by the President or Secretary General of the Federation. However, since, the NC is headed by Chairman, therefore, the documents should be duly signed and stamped by the Chairman, NC, the letter written to NC Chairman says.
“We appreciate your understanding in this matter and hope that future submissions will adhere to the required timelines and guidelines. While we remain committed to supporting the federation’s endeavors, adherence to established protocols is essential for smooth coordination.”
The team is currently training at the Jinnah Stadium and is scheduled to depart for Nepal via Dubai from Islamabad on October 12. Drawn into Group A, the women in green will face arch-rivals India and Bangladesh. Pakistan will face India on October 17 followed by a group-stage clash with Bangladesh on October 20.
“We have been left high and dry as we have bought tickets and the team is in the final stage of preparing to depart for Nepal. It would be unjust on the part of the PSB not to allow the women’s team to travel to Nepal for the South Asian meet,” said an official. “Instead of promoting women’s sports, the PSB is actually creating hurdles in the way of promoting women’s sports.”
Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director General of Federations at PSB, did not respond to a query about the future of the women’s team.