(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Football Federation Plans Revival of Domestic Competitions
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is set to revive domestic football, with the National Challenge Cup expected to kick off between October 15 and 30 in Multan. The move comes as the federation aims to balance domestic tournaments alongside a busy international calendar.
A senior PFF official confirmed the tentative schedule, noting that the competition must conclude by the end of October to allow the national team to focus on AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Pakistan faces Afghanistan on October 9 (away) and October 14 (home), followed by a crucial clash against Syria on November 18 at Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.
The Challenge Cup will see clubs and departments like WAPDA, KRL, armed forces, and potentially returning powerhouses such as National Bank, PIA, K-Electric, and SNGPL compete. WAPDA are the current holders, having defeated SA Gardens 1–0 in the 2022–23 final.
The tournament will also serve as a talent hunt for newly appointed national coach Nolberto Solano, who is looking to identify domestic players for upcoming assignments.
With domestic football struggling for stability over the past decade, the National Challenge Cup marks a significant step in reviving Pakistan’s football calendar ahead of the Pakistan Premier League relaunch later this year or early next.
