Pakistan football has received a major international boost with Saudi investment company The Real Advice (TRA) joining hands with three-time Pakistan Super League champions Lahore Qalandars and HRL Group in a landmark partnership aimed at developing a professional football structure in the country
The agreement seeks to bring Saudi investment, expertise and international football networks to Pakistan while ensuring that ownership and control of football-related programmes remain firmly in Pakistani hands. The partnership will support the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) in developing the game from grassroots level and, subject to the federation’s approval, contribute to the proposed professional National League.
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The first major initiative will be open trials across Pakistan to identify talented footballers. The programme will also include specialised coaching for trainers, a dedicated football training centre and greater investment in women’s football, youth development and community-based programmes.
The partnership will create opportunities for Pakistani players
The partnership will create opportunities for Pakistani players and coaches to gain exposure in Saudi Arabia through training camps, academy exchanges, club partnerships and international friendly matches. It will also seek to build links with Saudi and Gulf-based sponsors and television networks, potentially opening new commercial and broadcasting opportunities for Pakistani football.
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Lahore Qalandars owner and CEO Atif Naeem Rana said the organisation would apply its successful open-trial player-development model to football, providing youngsters from across Pakistan a pathway towards professional football and, ultimately, international representation. HRL Group Vice Chairman Jehanzaib Zahid said Pakistan possessed immense football potential but needed investment and an organised development system. He said the partnership would bring international expertise to Pakistan while keeping ownership and control within the country.
TRA Chairman Muhammad Amir Khan highlighted Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation in football and described Pakistan as a brotherly country with a passionate football following and a large Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia. The initiative builds on a February 2026 understanding between the PFF and Lahore Qalandars to introduce the Qalandars’ player-development model to football. The partners stressed that the PFF will retain sole authority over football in Pakistan, with all programmes subject to its approval and FIFA and AFC regulations. The federation will also exclusively determine participation in any future National League. Open trials are expected to begin soon, followed by further announcements on training camps, club partnerships and international matches.
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Source: www.nation.com.pk
