The Pakistan futsal team is facing serious challenges in its preparation for the upcoming Asian Qualifiers, once again highlighting the neglect of the sport in the country. Despite representing Pakistan at an international event, the team has been forced to train without proper facilities in Islamabad.
According to journalist Faizan Lakhani, the national futsal team—scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia later this month—has been practicing on basketball courts at a private university. The players are unable to access Islamabad’s Liaquat Gymnasium, their usual training venue, due to its unavailability.
As a result, the official camp has been shifted to a private institution, but the arrangement is far from ideal. Because classes are held during the day, the futsal players can only train in the evenings, while their morning sessions take place on borrowed basketball courts.
This situation has raised major concerns about Pakistan’s readiness for the Asian Qualifiers, where they will compete against strong futsal teams from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Chinese Taipei—countries with much better infrastructure and support systems.
Despite recent initiatives by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to promote futsal, critics say the current state of training clearly shows the sport’s ongoing neglect. Many believe that futsal deserves more investment and recognition as part of Pakistan’s broader football development strategy.
Originally, Pakistan’s matches in the Asian Cup Qualifiers were scheduled last month but were postponed to October due to unforeseen reasons. The team will now face Iraq on October 18, Saudi Arabia on October 20, and Chinese Taipei on October 22.
Even with limited resources and inadequate facilities, the Pakistan futsal team remains committed to performing its best on the international stage. However, experts warn that without proper support, the players’ potential may remain unrealized, and Pakistan’s futsal growth could continue to lag behind regional competitors.
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