Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Ronaldinho and other international football superstars, who arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, met with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa here. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) thanked the footballers for visiting the country. The ISPR director general tweeted: ‘Pakistan welcomes @10Ronaldinho and his fellow intl players.’ Gen Bajwa told the footballers that Pakistan was a peace- and sports-loving country. “Sports promote peace and your visit is most welcomed by all Pakistanis especially young footballers,” the COAS remarked. The footballers thanked the Army Chief for organising their tour and his support. They said Pakistan was a beautiful country and they looked forward to enjoying their trip. Gen Bajwa also thanked the Leisure League for organising the event in collaboration with the Pakistan Army and promoting peace and sports.

Brazil legend Ronaldinho and Manchester United Stalwart Ryan Giggs, along with a superstar cast of Brazilian Roberto Carlos, former England goalkeeper David James, Dutch star George Boateng, former French players Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese player Luis Boa Morte will play exhibition matches in Karachi and Lahore.

World Group is the company behind UK-based Leisure Leagues, the sponsors of the event. The Pakistani organisers hope to both promote football and show that security in the country has improved in Pakistan. International sports fled the country after an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. Earlier, keen to shine a spotlight on the underrepresented footballing talent in Pakistan, Ronaldinho and five other international football stars arrived in Islamabad on Saturday. The football stars arrived at the Benazir International Airport, on a special plane and were escorted out of the airport to a private hotel in Islamabad under tight security.

Published in Daily Times, July 9^th , 2017.