LAHORE: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Chief Executive Officer Shahid Khokhar has said that the federation will take time before appointing a new Secretary General, stressing that the vacant position is too important to be filled hastily. At the same time, he defended the federation’s financial management, saying the current administration has ensured proper record-keeping and transparency unlike previous setups.
Responding to questions during a press conference on Monday, Khokhar said the process of appointing a Secretary General would require careful consideration. “It will take time to fill this important seat,” he remarked.
The PFF chief executive made these remarks while announcing the launch of the much-awaited District Football Championship 2026, a nationwide initiative designed to revive domestic football, strengthen grassroots structures and identify emerging talent from across Pakistan.
Speaking alongside PFF Director Media Umaid Wasim, while provincial football heads joined virtually, Khokhar described the championship as a historic step towards rebuilding the country’s football ecosystem from the ground up.
For the first time in Pakistan football’s history, the federation will provide comprehensive technical, administrative and logistical support to districts to ensure the successful conduct of the championship. The competitions will be organised by District Football Associations (DFAs), while the PFF will facilitate and coordinate the process at every stage.
Khokhar credited PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani and provincial and regional football leaders for their contributions in shaping the initiative.
“Under the leadership of Mohsen Gilani, Pakistan football has made significant progress on the international stage and earned appreciation from FIFA and AFC officials. Our next priority is to bring that same vision and momentum to grassroots and domestic football,” he said.
The championship is being viewed as a major investment in the future of Pakistani football, aimed at creating opportunities for players in every district and establishing a sustainable pathway for talent development.
“The PFF is fully committed to making this championship a historic success. Our president is passionate about grassroots football and is determined to seek every possible form of support, including financial assistance from FIFA and the AFC, to strengthen such initiatives,” Khokhar added.
A dedicated coordination mechanism has already been established involving all four provincial football associations and the three regions — Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Regular consultations and meetings will be held to finalise championship matters through consensus and cooperation.
According to the PFF, the District Football Championship 2026 is expected to produce several long-term benefits, including the strengthening of grassroots football structures, identification and verification of genuine football clubs, talent scouting, capacity-building of district associations, improved coordination among football stakeholders and greater use of modern technology in competition management.
Khokhar also announced that the Pakistan Football Referee Association (PFRA) will provide qualified match officials to maintain professional standards throughout the competition.
Following the completion of the district championship, the federation plans to organise the National Club Championship, creating the next stage of the player development pathway.
Talented players identified through district competitions will receive structured coaching and development opportunities under qualified PFF coaches, with the ultimate objective of preparing them for national team duties.
“This system will provide a clear and merit-based pathway, enabling talented players to progress from district football to club football and eventually to Pakistan’s national teams,” Khokhar explained.
The PFF CEO also unveiled details of the National U17 Championship, another key initiative aimed at strengthening youth football development. Scheduled for the first week of September 2026, the tournament will feature two teams each from the four provinces, while Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will field one team each.
Provincial and regional football bodies will be responsible for selecting their squads through established channels, while the PFF will bear all participation-related expenses.
The championship is expected to serve as an important talent identification platform for future international assignments, with outstanding performers likely to be considered for Pakistan’s youth teams participating in the SAFF U17 Championship and AFC U17 Qualifiers.
Khokhar said the federation remains committed to providing greater opportunities for young footballers and creating a sustainable development structure capable of producing future national stars.
“We want talented youngsters from every corner of Pakistan to have a fair opportunity to showcase their abilities. Through these competitions, we hope to discover players who will go on to represent Pakistan with distinction and help bring international success to the country,” he concluded.