PSB denies NOC to Pakistan women’s football team for SAFF championship

ISLAMABAD: A couple of days before the team’s departure for the South Asian Women’s Football, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) denied the traveling NOC, jeopardising Pakistan’s participation.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman Normalization Committee (NC), the PSB’s letter says that due to time constraints and failure on the part of the NC Chairman to sign the surety bond himself, permission for the team’s travel abroad has been denied.

“It is observed that the documents related to the current case are not signed by the Chairman, and the submission was made beyond the prescribed time. Since the instructions issued by the PSB have not been followed, we regret to inform you that, due to time constraints and non-compliance with our procedural requirements, the PSB

is unable to process the NOC request for participation in this event,” says the letter written by the PSB to the Chairman NC on Tuesday.

“After scrutiny of documents, it was observed that the case for NOC was submitted at a belated stage in violation of guidelines . . . available on PSB’s Official Website. Late submission of cases causes embarrassment for the PSB.”

It was also observed that as per instructions, the Surety Bonds, Undertakings etc. should be duly signed and stamped by the President or Secretary General of the Federation. However, since, the NC is headed by Chairman, therefore, the documents should be duly signed and stamped by the Chairman, NC, the letter written to NC Chairman says.

“We appreciate your understanding in this matter and hope that future submissions will adhere to the required timelines and guidelines. While we remain committed to supporting the federation’s endeavors, adherence to established protocols is essential for smooth coordination.”

The team is currently training at the Jinnah Stadium and is scheduled to depart for Nepal via Dubai from Islamabad on October 12. Drawn into Group A, the women in green will face arch-rivals India and Bangladesh. Pakistan will face India on October 17 followed by a group-stage clash with Bangladesh on October 20.

“We have been left high and dry as we have bought tickets and the team is in the final stage of preparing to depart for Nepal. It would be unjust on the part of the PSB not to allow the women’s team to travel to Nepal for the South Asian meet,” said an official. “Instead of promoting women’s sports, the PSB is actually creating hurdles in the way of promoting women’s sports.” Shahidul Islam, Deputy Director General of Federations at PSB, did not respond to a query about the future of the women’s team.