Col Hamdani leading contender for PFF Secretary post [The News]

ISLAMABAD: Col Syed G A Hamdani has emerged as a strong contender for the coveted position of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Secretary, following the initial round of interviews conducted by the PFF Board.

The interview panel, comprising the PFF President and three Vice Presidents, shortlisted four candidates out of seven applicants for the key post. Those shortlisted are Col Syed G A Hamdani, Shahid Shinwari, Shahid Khokhar, and Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera.

According to well-placed sources, Col Hamdani not only represents a powerful departmental lobby but also enjoys broad-based support from both the PFF Executive Council and the Congress. His extensive administrative experience and longstanding involvement in sports governance have made him a front-runner for the federation’s top operational role.

A strong bloc within the PFF Executive Committee, which reportedly met on the sidelines of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s recent visit, has openly expressed its backing for Col Hamdani. The group emphasized the need for experienced leadership to streamline football governance and rebuild the sport’s credibility in the country.

During the meeting, members also called for the immediate initiation of an audit of the PFF accounts, in line with directives issued by FIFA. However, PFF President Mohsen Gilani appeared to downplay the need for the audit, saying he intended to first seek further clarification from FIFA.

“We need a clearer approach on the PFF Normalisation Committee audit as demanded by FIFA, the proposed domestic league structure, and the authority of the Executive and Congress as enshrined in the PFF Constitution,” a Congress member told The News.

He further emphasized that all major decisions of the federation must carry the approval of both the Executive Council and Congress, ensuring transparency and adherence to the PFF Constitution.

Published in The News, 8 November 2025