ISLAMABAD, October 9, 2026: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) will launch the SHE League and SHE League Juniors on October 10, providing girls and young women with a platform to compete, develop their talent and pursue their dreams of representing Pakistan.
Both leagues will follow a five-a-side format, providing players with more opportunities to engage with the ball, develop their technical abilities and gain competitive experience. The initiative will also support the identification and development of emerging talent ahead of international youth competitions, particularly the FIFA U-15 Girls’ World Cup & Festival scheduled for 2027.
SHE stands for Sports, Hope and Empowerment — the principles at the heart of the initiative, which aims to expand opportunities for girls and young women through football.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said the initiative marked an important step towards building a stronger foundation for women’s football in Pakistan.
“Women’s football must be developed through sustained investment, meaningful competition and clear pathways for talented players to progress. The SHE League and SHE League Juniors are an important part of that effort, giving girls and young women the opportunity to develop their abilities, test themselves in a competitive environment and aspire to represent Pakistan. Our ambition is to build a system in which talent is identified early, nurtured consistently and given the opportunity to flourish,” he said.
Mejzgaan Orakzai, Head of the PFF Women’s Department, described the leagues as the first practical implementation of the recently launched PFF Women’s Football Development Strategy.
“These leagues turn our strategy into action by creating structured opportunities for girls and young women to participate, compete and progress in football. They represent an important first step towards realising our vision for the development of women’s football in Pakistan,” she said.
Amul Khan Niazi, PFF Women’s Football Manager and Chief Organizer, highlighted the importance of club participation and sustained competitive opportunities.
“Our aim is to give players a platform to showcase their talent while creating meaningful opportunities for women’s football clubs to participate in organised competition. SHE represents Sports, Hope and Empowerment, and we want these leagues to embody all three by giving girls and young women the opportunity to play, grow in confidence and pursue their ambitions. By bringing more clubs and players into the competitive structure, we hope to broaden participation, raise standards and create stronger pathways for girls and young women to progress in the game,” she said.
Both leagues will be played at Jinnah Futsal Grounds, Islamabad Sports Complex, beginning October 10.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.