Pakistan’s preparations for the regional tournament have once again highlighted the long-running problems affecting domestic football.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s preparations for the SAFF Championship have come under scrutiny after the national team’s training camp was scheduled to begin on October 26, just nine days before the tournament starts in Dhaka, raising concerns about players’ fitness and readiness.

Head coach Nolberto Solano confirmed that the camp would begin on October 26, with Pakistan scheduled to face arch-rivals India in their opening match on November 5.

The delayed start will leave the squad with limited time to prepare before travelling to Bangladesh. The team is scheduled to depart for Dhaka on November 2, according to Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Chief Operating Officer Shahid Niaz Khokhar.

The short preparation period has prompted concerns, particularly because Pakistan currently lacks an active domestic league that could help players maintain match fitness throughout the year.

Former Coach Criticises Short Preparation Period

Pakistan previously faced criticism over preparations for the ASEAN Cup, when Solano was unable to obtain his visa in time and had to travel directly to Indonesia to join the squad. The team had prepared in Islamabad under coaches with limited experience.

Unlike India and Bangladesh, where domestic leagues provide players with regular competitive football, Pakistan’s lack of a functioning league makes an extended national-team training camp particularly important.

Former Pakistan international and senior coach Gohar Zaman criticised the planned schedule, arguing that players needed substantially more time to regain match fitness.

“It is absolutely unacceptable,” Gohar told The Express Tribune.

“There are no Ronaldos or Messis here who are always in shape. Our players are usually out of action and need time to regain their fitness. They needed at least a 30-day camp for that purpose,” he said.

Gohar also questioned the commitment to football development, saying the sport needed to be managed more seriously and professionally.

“I do not think football development is a priority. If we want to develop the sport, we must take it seriously and manage it professionally,” he added.

Gohar Recommends Goalkeeping Coach’s Inclusion

Gohar also recommended including Pakistan senior team goalkeeping coach Aslam Khan in the coaching staff for the tournament.

Aslam is currently in Dhaka, where he works as goalkeeping coach for Abahani Limited. Gohar said bringing him into the national setup could benefit the team.

“Aslam is in Dhaka, working as goalkeeping coach for Abahani Limited. It would be a plus if he were brought in for the SAFF Championship,” he said.

Gohar, a former striker, has also served as an assistant coach of Pakistan’s senior team under several foreign coaches.

Karachi Suggested as Alternative Training Venue

The training camp is expected to take place in Islamabad, but concerns have also been raised about the choice of venue.

Karachi could be a more suitable location because its current weather conditions are similar to those in Dhaka, potentially helping players adjust before travelling to Bangladesh.

Gohar supported the suggestion, criticising what he described as a lack of professional planning.

“It is a matter of professional thinking, but these people do not think that way. They will barely hold a camp for a few days,” he said.

There are also reports that some key Pakistan players based overseas could miss the tournament because of commitments to their clubs, potentially further limiting the squad’s options.

Pakistan Drawn Alongside India and Maldives

Pakistan have been placed in Group B alongside India and the Maldives, while hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan make up Group A.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against India on November 5 before facing the Maldives on November 7.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for November 14. The final is set to be held at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 17.

Pakistan’s best performance in the SAFF Championship came in 1997, when they finished third in the edition hosted by Nepal.

India lead the tournament’s honours list with nine titles, followed by the Maldives with two. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have won the competition once each.

India are reportedly planning to field their under-23 team to give younger players international experience.

Absence of Domestic League Deepens Pakistan Football Crisis

Pakistan’s preparations for the regional tournament have once again highlighted the long-running problems affecting domestic football.

The country has gone without a regular domestic league for much of the past 12 years, with the competition held only once during the 2018-19 season amid a dispute involving rival federations.

After FIFA installed a Normalisation Committee in 2019, efforts to restore the league and revive domestic football failed to produce a sustainable competition.

As a result, Pakistan’s national teams have increasingly relied on overseas-based players, while local footballers have been left without regular competitive opportunities.

The current PFF administration has also spent more than a year in office without achieving a meaningful revival of the domestic league, further deepening concerns about player development and the national team’s long-term prospects.

With the SAFF Championship approaching, Pakistan now face the challenge of preparing a competitive squad in a limited time, against the backdrop of broader structural problems in the country’s football system.