Michael Owen and Emile Heskey reunite to launch first-ever pro league in Pakistan with more star names to be announced
MICHAEL OWEN is reuniting with Emile Heskey to try and inspire 250million people to take up the beautiful game by launching the inaugural Pakistan Football League.
The two stars, who had an almost telepathic understanding up front, enjoyed success as a partnership for both England and Liverpool.
Now they are hoping to help produce many more memorable moments for another nation over 3,500 miles away from both Anfield and Wembley in Pakistan.
Ballon d’Or winner Owen is PFL brand ambassador after agreeing in 2021 to take up the role to help devise a strategic partnership programme to unite the nation with the might of football.
He will now link up with 2001 Uefa Cup winner Heskey, 46, to head an international delegation from across the world next month for the exciting start of the PFL.
Officials from some of the world’s most renowned clubs, including from the Premier League and LaLiga, are lined up to visit football-loving Pakistan.
The all new franchise football league is set to create a new sports economy which will create the very first inter-city rivalry within the country that has a 250m population.
With over 63m football fans and 3.4m registered professional football players, the PFL will kick off the planet’s most popular sport in Pakistan.
Heskey said: “PFL is set to offer a huge gateway for players in Pakistan but we have to get the foundation and grassroots right.
“I am excited to meet the franchise team owners and design a strategic grassroots plan for them and look forward to discussing the world of opportunities in football in Pakistan.”
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The three-day visit will commence on June 3 from capital city Islamabad before heading to Lahore for the official unveiling on June 4 before concluding in Karachi – The City of Lights.
A series of high-profile meetings scheduled with top brass officials plus a football carnival in Kakri Football Stadium, Lyari to recognise the unsung heroes of Pakistan’s football.
Then will come the epic unveil of the franchise teams – with several star mystery names set to be revealed.
Talks over technical, commercial and merchandise partnerships between international clubs and PFL franchise team owners will then take place behind closed doors.
Those are aimed at offering a local to global football universe to the esteemed franchise owners – a must in order to lift the quality and standards of Pakistan’s football meeting the demands of the modern game.
Ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Owen, 44, said: “This is exactly what football needs in Pakistan.
“My initial visit in 2021 was to understand the ground reality in Pakistan.
“A professional framework is needed to overhaul the football landscape in Pakistan.
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“With international partnerships proposed the franchisees are certain to uplift quality and standards of football.”
Ahmer Kunwar, the President and CEO of PFL, said: “PFL will build a robust and resilient foundation over a period of time.
“Our key pillars of success offer a modern football landscape, an ecosystem with international pathways and infrastructure designed to create Pakistan’s very own theatre of dreams.
“Our franchisees are the epicentre of PFL who will help realise the potential for those who want to rise from the streets to the stadium.”
Over 100,000 free footballs have already been dished out across the country in order to get kids playing.
And now PFL chairman Farhan Ahmed Junejo hopes the league’s creation will lead to a surge of top players for the future.
He said: “The first professional kick-off in this league will give a new meaning to the lives of many young aspiring children.
“My gift of distributing 100,000 footballs to Pakistan is to provide a ball to a child who wants to play football.
“PFL will be the driving force of reviving the next generation of future football stars.”
Who are these famous footballers?
- I was West Ham captain but I almost went to jail over bankruptcy
- I’m a former Man Utd star and I once stole a girl from Ronaldo
- I’m an ex-Man Utd star – now I own a dog-themed B&B
- I was Thierry Henry’s toughest opponent but quit to become a pastor
- I’m a former Wolves striker but I left football behind to become a vicar