KARACHI: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has declined to provide a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for the women’s team’s scheduled tour to Singapore, leaving the tour in uncertainty.
The Pakistan women’s team was slated to participate in two friendly matches against Singapore on July 15 and 18, with their departure scheduled for the evening of July 13. However, the PFF’s request for an NOC from the PSB was turned down.
In a letter addressed to the PFF, the PSB stated that federations are required to submit all relevant documents for government clearance at least six weeks before the departure date. Due to the delayed submission of the request, the PSB expressed its inability to process the case at this late stage.
Pakistan Women’s Football Team’s Tour to Singapore
Notably, the Football Association of Singapore had officially confirmed the tour to the PFF on June 26. The PFF subsequently submitted the letter requesting an NOC on June 27, shortly after the Eidul Azha holidays.
A source within the PFF expressed astonishment at the PSB’s expectation to receive documents for an NOC even before the tour was officially confirmed.
The refusal of the NOC has resulted in the Pakistan women’s football team potentially missing out on the opportunity to play international matches during the FIFA window.
This incident follows a similar situation last month when the PFF had to wait until the last minute to receive NOCs for tours to Mauritius and India.
