Ghani Ur Rehman
GUJRANWALA: The historic city of Gujranwala witnessed a vibrant revival of football nostalgia as legendary former national and international players returned to action during the National Veteran Football Tournament. The event was held under the supervision of Pakistan Football Federation Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah and was organized with great enthusiasm and discipline.
Veteran footballers from across the country displayed remarkable skill, experience, and passion, drawing loud applause from spectators. Their participation not only rekindled memories of Pakistan’s golden football era but also served as a strong source of inspiration for younger players, one of the key objectives of the tournament.
In the final, Rawalpindi Veterans clinched the title after defeating Gujranwala Veterans by five goals to three in an exciting and competitive match. The contest reflected high technical quality, sportsmanship, and the enduring class of Pakistan’s seasoned footballers.
A special moment of the closing ceremony was the honoring of Pakistan Air Force football team coach Muhammad Arshad for his outstanding coaching role in PAF’s victory in the football event of the 35th National Games. He was presented with a commemorative shield by Hafiz Sanaullah, who praised his dedication and described him as a valuable asset to Pakistan football.
The tournament concluded with a grand dinner in honor of participating teams and guests. Souvenir shields and special gifts were distributed among the players, who appreciated the initiative and emphasized that such events promote unity and help revive a positive football culture in the country.
On the occasion, Hafiz Zakaullah and former football stars reaffirmed their commitment to reviving football in Pakistan through sustained grassroots development. They stressed the need to activate football nurseries across the country and to organize veteran football events on a regular basis so that young players can benefit from the experience of senior professionals.
Addressing the gathering, Malik Hidayatullah highlighted the current challenges facing football in Pakistan and outlined a future roadmap. He emphasized that real development begins at the educational level and called for the revival of football at school, tehsil, and district levels. He assured full support for grassroots initiatives and stressed that school-level tournaments are essential for discovering future football stars.
