Pakistan Women’s Team Finally Receives NOC for SAFF Championship in Nepal

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has finally granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the national women’s football team for their participation in the SAFF Women’s Championship, just hours before their scheduled departure.

Previously, there was uncertainty regarding the Pakistan women’s football team’s participation in the tournament, as the PSB had initially refused to issue an NOC. The tournament, set to take place from October 17 to 30 in Nepal, was in doubt because of alleged delays in submitting the NOC request and the ‘lack of appropriate signature’ from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

This issue has become the latest in what is a repeated pattern of issues between the PFF and the PSB, echoing previous problems faced by Pakistan’s football teams over NOC delays and the usage of Jinnah Stadium to host home matches. Although such problems were often resolved at the last minute, this case remained unresolved until now.

The two bodies also recently butted heads over a proposed plan to play against Russia, with the PSB insisting on sending a makeshift team after the PFF announced that such a friendly would not be possible. The Russian Football Union would later announce that no friendly would take place.

The Pakistani contingent for the event, consisting of 24 players and 8 officials, is scheduled to leave Islamabad for Kathmandu today. The SAFF Women’s Championship will be held from October 17 to 30, and Pakistan will face India in their opening match on October 17.