Pakistan Football team receives visas to participate in SAFF Championship in India

The path is now clear for the Pakistan football team to compete in the SAFF Football Championship after successfully obtaining visas to travel to India. Sources reveal that the team is currently making arrangements to secure the earliest available flight from Mauritius to reach India in time for their opening match against India on June 21. The match is scheduled to take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium with a 7.30 PM kick-off time.

While the exact travel itinerary is yet to be confirmed, officials are optimistic that the Pakistan team will arrive in Bengaluru on Tuesday ahead of their highly anticipated match against India on Wednesday. The Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed hope for a sell-out crowd at the match and reassured that they are fully prepared to host the event in Bengaluru.

Although there were speculations about a possible rescheduling of the match due to visa delays, the KSFA official clarified that no such plans are currently under consideration. The association has been working closely with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to ensure smooth coordination.

Earlier, the Pakistan football team encountered difficulties in their travel arrangements as they were stranded in Mauritius following their participation in the Four-Nation Cup tournament. Their visa request faced a delay due to non-working days at the Indian Embassy in Mauritius during the weekend.

Pakistan's preparation for the SAFF tournament was further hampered by their lackluster performance in the Four-Nation Cup, finishing last with a series of defeats. In contrast, Djibouti emerged as the champions with an impeccable winning record.

The Pakistan Football Federation initially blamed the National Sports Board for issuing the No Objection Certificate (NOC) late, while the Board responded by stating that the PFF had submitted the NOC application after a significant delay. Despite these challenges, the Pakistan team is now set to embark on their journey to India and compete in the SAFF Championship Football with renewed determination.

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