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ISLAMABAD: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), in an official letter, has reaffirmed the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) as the sole governing body of football in Pakistan, the PFF said on Sunday, amid administrative challenges relating to the sport in the South Asian country.

Pakistan and FIFA share a complex yet evolving relationship, shaped by ongoing efforts to develop football infrastructure and promote the sport in the country. Pakistan has faced repeated administrative challenges and international suspensions, largely due to government interference in football affairs.

In 2019, FIFA appointed a normalization committee to restore order within the PFF and facilitate the holding of democratic elections. FIFA suspended the PFF in Feb. this year after its elected congress rejected constitutional amendments proposed by the global body but the ban was reversed in March after PFF accepted the amendments.

“We would like to hereby confirm that the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), currently led by Mr.Syed Mohsen Gilani as its elected president, is a recognized member of FIFIA since 1948,” FIFA said in its letter shared on the PFF’s Instagram handle.

“Accordingly, PFF, who is an active member of FIFA, is the governing body of football in Pakistan.”

The development comes nearly two months after Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss football’s growing popularity in Pakistan and the potential that the sport has in the South Asian nation.

Football in Pakistan has long existed in the shadow of cricket. However, the sport has been growing popular over the years, particularly among the youth, who form a passionate fan base in urban centers.

“Had an excellent meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said on X following his meeting with Infantino during a trip to the US.

“We discussed the immense potential of sports in Pakistan — especially the growing popularity of football following cricket,” he added.

Last month, the PFF announced it had appointed former Newcastle legend Nolberto Solano as the new head coach of the national men’s and under-23 team.

Solano, a former international footballer who has played 95 matches for Peru, was a prominent English Premier League footballer who also played for high-profile teams such as Newcastle United and Aston Villa during his football career.

He replaced Stephen Constantine, a seasoned football coach, who had been affiliated with Pakistan from September 2023 till October 2024.

“Nolberto Solano, legendary Peruvian international and former Premier League star, has officially been appointed as the Head Coach of Senior Men’s National and U23 Team,” the PFF said.

The federation said it had also hired Jorge Castañeira, describing him as a “globally respected performance and fitness coach,” to serve as associate fitness coach for the senior men’s national team.

“With over 30 years of elite-level experience, Jorge has worked across continents with top national teams and clubs,” the PFF said.

PFF President Gilani said both new hirings would help Pakistan build a “strong and professional future” for football in the country.

“With Solano and Castañeira joining us, we will give our players better facilities,” Gilani added.

RIYADH: Rising British boxing talent Moses Itauma lit up Riyadh this on Saturday night with a stunning performance, dispatching veteran Dillian Whyte in under a minute.

Itauma ended the heavyweight clash in just 50 seconds of the opening round, unleashing a relentless barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the contest and declare him winner by knockout.

The bout, which began with the Saudi national anthem, was staged at anb Arena as part of the Esports World Cup, and drew a packed crowd who witnessed one of the year’s most anticipated heavyweight showdowns.

Despite the difference in experience, Itauma showed supreme confidence and dominance from the opening bell, proving his ability to stand among the sport’s elite. Whyte, meanwhile, struggled with Itauma’s speed and pressure, unable to regain control before the stoppage.

With this emphatic victory, Itauma continues to build on his undefeated record, underlining his status as one of the most exciting young stars in global boxing. For Whyte, the loss marks a difficult chapter in his career.

The evening opened with a thrilling performance from Saudi boxer Mohammed Alakel, who secured a first-round knockout victory against Younam Santosh Singh, registering the fifth win of his professional career.

In the second fight, featherweight standout Raymond Ford claimed a unanimous decision victory over Abraham Nova, signaling his return to championship contention with a composed and balanced display throughout the bout.

The third contest brought together Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic and Britain’s David Adeleye in a ten-round battle described as one of the greatest recent heavyweight clashes. Despite Adeleye’s power and resilience, Hrgovic’s experience proved decisive as he secured a unanimous decision after a dramatic encounter filled with knockdowns and relentless action until the final bell.

In the fourth fight, Japan’s Hayato Tsutsumi delivered a spectacular performance, flooring Britain’s Qais Ashfaq in the second round before sealing a knockout victory early in the third, maintaining his undefeated record.

The excitement continued in the fifth bout as Britain’s Nick Ball retained his WBA featherweight title after a grueling 12-round battle with Sam Goodman, remaining the only reigning male world champion from Great Britain.

The Esports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24, features more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs, with total prize money of $70m, offering a unique blend of digital entertainment and live combat sports.