Football – the beautiful game – has remained a truly global sport for decades. While it often depicts regional competitiveness, it has the capacity of uniting the whole world – even it is only for 90 minutes.
Pakistan also shares a colourful, albeit underachieving, football history. It is strange how despite football’s simplicity and widespread appeal among the masses across the country, the game has failed to reach the same heights as hockey and cricket.
However, despite innumerable difficulties, Pakistan’s talented players are honing their skills with very few resources. One such name is Ahsan Ullah who started playing football at a very young age and today is the goalkeeper of the national team.
MM News: When did you start playing football?
Ahsan Ullah: Like most great things in life I was inspired by my father and uncle. I started playing football in 2005-06 at the age of 5 or 6. I would watch whole seasons and not miss a single game, which developed my interest in Pakistani football as well.
MM News: Why did you join the national football team?
Ahsan Ullah: Farooq Shah, a player of my club won a gold medal for Pakistan at international level. By watching him, I decided to represent Pakistan in the national team. That was how I basically got into Pakistani football.
MM News: Your opinion on less popularity of football in Pakistan?
Ahsan Ullah: In my opinion, there are more football fans in Pakistan than cricket. If you look at the local level, almost 20 matches are being played daily in Karachi. This gives you an idea of how popular football is in Pakistan. In the past, from what I have heard, it has always been a problem for the Pakistan Football Federation to attract the right sponsors and investors.
MM News: Your favorite football and goalkeeper? And Why?
Ahsan Ullah: Cristiano Ronaldo is my favorite player when it comes to sports and practical life. I am also impressed by Ronaldo off the field due to his social activities and humanity. While my favorite goalkeeper is Germany’s Manuel Neuer.
MM News: Your performance that has become memorable?
Ahsan Ullah: Playing at the international level while representing Pakistan was my dream. However, our win against India in Bangalore was a memorable moment of my football career.
MM News: Why Pakistan football team is behind others in Asia?
Ahsan Ullah: We have thrown ten years back. All other teams we played against on our level, have professional camps, while ours was always a budget issue. However, if you look at the performance of the national team in 2014-15, we have defeated the best teams in our region including India and Afghanistan.
Pakistan has raw talent. With proper investment and patronage of the sports sector and once FIFA lifts its ban, Pakistani athletes can become leading players of the world.
MM News: How FIFA treats Pakistan and other countries?
Ahsan Ullah: FIFA is the most powerful football body in the world and whether it is the world champion, Europe or Pakistan, FIFA’s rules and regulations are the same for all and FIFA does not tolerate political interference. Without FIFA, the rich countries and clubs will never give a chance to the poor countries and clubs, so FIFA has a key role in the promotion of football.
MM News: Some difficulties players faced in Pakistan?
Ahsan Ullah: There is a lack of resources. Football grounds in Pakistan are not properly maintained. The aspiring athletes who play in sand and dirt are prone to diseases of the lung and respiratory systems.
For the underprivileged, the lack of resources holds them back, while for the privileged the lack of opportunity in the country for football is limited. The combined lack of incentive and prospects discourages even the most promising athletes from committing to the game.
MM News: How to promote football in Pakistan?
Ahsan Ullah: Pakistan’s government should provide financial support for the promotion of football in the country and make plans to emerge new talent, who can make our country proud at international level.
MM News: Your opinion on future of football in Pakistan?
Ahsan Ullah: The future of football in Pakistan is bright but the game is being damaged due to disputes between the federations. If the game is provided the right kind of patronage the Football could be as popular and successful as the cricket.
