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RABAT: FIFA has thrown its full support behind president Gianni Infantino despite growing criticism over the now-abandoned proposal to privatise the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup, while admitting that serious mistakes were made during the handling of the controversial plan. The governing body’s senior leadership met in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday to address the crisis that erupted after details of the proposal were leaked to the media. Following the meeting, FIFA issued a statement reaffirming its confidence in Infantino but also apologised to member associations for the way the process was managed. The proposed project, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed to create a new commercial subsidiary responsible for managing tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and Club World Cup. FIFA estimated the venture could generate up to $4.2 billion, based on a valuation of $20 billion, while significantly increasing financial support for its 211 member associations. Under the proposal, each member nation would have received a one-time payment of $20 million in 2027, with regular funding for the 2027–2030 cycle rising from $8 million to $20 million. However, instead of winning support, the initiative sparked fierce opposition from football stakeholders worldwide. UEFA strongly criticised the plan, describing it as an opaque agreement that lacked transparency, while CONCACAF questioned Infantino’s leadership and governance. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also publicly expressed doubts about Infantino’s ability to continue leading world football. Facing mounting pressure, Infantino withdrew the proposal last weekend, saying FIFA’s primary goal had always been to unite and strengthen the global game. In Wednesday’s statement, FIFA admitted that member associations and the FIFA Council should have been more closely involved from the outset. It also acknowledged mistakes made after the proposal became public and pledged to improve transparency in future decision-making. A formal review of the process will now be conducted, with findings expected to be presented at the next FIFA Council meeting. Officials confirmed that the FFE proposal has been permanently shelved. Later in the day, Infantino attended a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match in Rabat alongside Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, one of the few senior officials to publicly support him throughout the controversy. Despite surviving the immediate crisis with the backing of FIFA’s leadership, the episode has raised fresh questions about governance, transparency and trust within world football, casting a shadow over Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president.

Pakistani taekwondo player Ehsanullah Mahsud has dedicated his latest gold medal to the people of Pakistan. He credited their prayers and support as a major reason behind his success in the competition. Speaking to Geo News after his win, Mahsud did not hold back his gratitude. He said the medal was not just his own achievement. It belonged to the nation that stood behind him throughout the tournament. The gold came at the Thailand International Taekwondo Championship. Mahsud put together a strong run from the very first round. He opened his campaign with a win against a Kazakh opponent. That victory set the tone early and gave him the momentum he needed heading into the tougher rounds ahead. He carried that form into the semi-final. There, he faced off against an Indian competitor. Mahsud came out on top in that matchup, securing his place in the final. Beating a regional rival at that stage is never easy, and the win added extra weight to his overall run. In the final, Mahsud went up against a player from Sri Lanka. He delivered another strong performance, finishing the tournament with a win and claiming the gold medal. Each stage of the competition tested him differently. From facing a Central Asian opponent early on, to going head-to-head with regional rivals in the later rounds, Mahsud’s path to gold wasn’t a simple one. Every match added pressure, and every win built on the last. This is not just a personal milestone for him. Wins like these also add to Pakistan’s growing presence in international taekwondo, a sport that continues to produce strong performances from Pakistani athletes on the global stage. For Mahsud, the victory reflects months of preparation and discipline. Competing internationally requires consistent training, sharp reflexes, and the ability to perform under pressure across multiple rounds in a short span of time. As he continues competing on the international circuit, this gold adds another achievement to his growing list of accomplishments. It also reinforces his position as one of the athletes representing Pakistan on international platforms. For now, Mahsud’s focus remains on what comes next, as he continues building on this latest success and preparing for future competitions ahead.

LAUSANNE: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan has taken a major step in his international sports administration career after being appointed Executive Director of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). FIBA confirmed that Khan has already joined its headquarters and will officially assume his new role in January 2027. In his position, he will oversee operations across 44 national basketball federations in the region, helping shape the sport’s strategic development, governance, and growth initiatives. Khan is widely regarded as one of the most experienced sports administrators to emerge from Pakistan. During his tenure as PCB Chief Executive, he played a key role in implementing governance reforms, strengthening domestic cricket structures, and supporting the return of international cricket to Pakistan. Following his time at the PCB, Khan joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) as General Manager – Cricket, where he contributed to the global development of the game. Earlier this year, he announced his decision to step down from that position, paving the way for a new chapter in his career. His appointment to FIBA marks a significant crossover from cricket to basketball, reflecting the growing demand for experienced sports executives capable of leading international organizations beyond a single sport. Sports analysts believe Khan’s leadership experience, strategic planning skills, and track record in sports governance make him well-positioned to contribute to FIBA’s long-term objectives, particularly in strengthening basketball development across member federations. The appointment is also being viewed as another milestone for Pakistani professionals in global sports administration, highlighting the increasing recognition of their expertise on the international stage. With his official tenure beginning in January 2027, Wasim Khan is expected to play a central role in advancing basketball programs, enhancing collaboration among national federations, and supporting FIBA’s efforts to expand the sport’s reach across the region.

Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, who previously coached Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, has said the javelin thrower was not at peak fitness ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Nadeem’s campaign there ended in disappointment. Speaking to The Express Tribune from Lahore, Bukhari said he had watched Nadeem during throwing sessions and didn’t see the intensity needed to challenge for medals at a major event. According to him, fitness is the single most important factor for any athlete. He added that if an athlete is not fit, competing should not even be considered an option. Bukhari coached Nadeem for eight years and played a key role in helping him qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He said fitness had always been central to his coaching philosophy during that period. Reflecting on the lead-up to Tokyo, Bukhari recalled that Nadeem had contracted COVID-19 and was also nursing an elbow injury at the time. He said Nadeem had insisted he wouldn’t compete unless he reached full fitness. Through focused work together, they managed to get him back in shape. Bukhari pointed to Nadeem’s strong throw at the Tokyo Games as evidence that the effort had paid off. He also called for mandatory fitness testing before athletes are cleared for international events. He expressed concern that such checks appear to have been abandoned altogether in recent years. Nadeem’s Glasgow campaign ended in a surprising early exit. He failed to progress past the qualifying round, finishing ninth out of twelve finalists based on his first three throws. The result stood in sharp contrast to his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres. While Nadeem has claimed several medals since his Olympic win, his recent form has not matched that historic peak. This has raised some concern, given the immense potential he continues to carry as an athlete. Bukhari was removed from his coaching role by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan after Nadeem finished fifth in Tokyo. Salman Butt has since taken over as his coach. Despite the recent setback, Bukhari remains confident Nadeem can regain his top form. He said the athlete doesn’t necessarily need another massive throw, since he’s already delivered one on the world’s biggest stage. Instead, he believes Nadeem needs to focus on correcting his mindset and overall approach. Bukhari also criticized Butt, alleging he has distanced Nadeem from both the federation and his former coach. He added that he remains willing to help if needed, and called for stronger cooperation among Pakistan’s sports bodies to improve the country’s standing internationally.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has officially confirmed that the Pakistan men’s national football team will participate in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup later this year, marking a historic milestone for the country’s football. It will be the first time the Pakistan men’s team competes in an official FIFA tournament, where it will face some of the strongest teams in the region. According to the PFF, the national men’s team will make its maiden appearance in a FIFA-sanctioned competition, highlighting the steady progress of football in Pakistan and opening a new chapter in the country’s sporting history. The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled to take place in Indonesia during September and October this year. Pakistan has been placed in the tournament’s top tier, where it will compete against established footballing nations, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The competition is expected to provide Pakistan with valuable exposure against higher-ranked opponents and help the national team gain experience at the international level. Pakistan is one of only three countries that have received special invitations to participate in the tournament. The participating teams will be divided into two groups, with each side battling for a place in the knockout stages. The event is expected to showcase some of the best football talent in the region while promoting greater cooperation between Asian football associations. PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani described the team’s participation as a landmark achievement for Pakistan football. He said that following the Pakistan women’s national team’s appearance in the FIFA Series, the men’s national team will now compete in its first-ever FIFA event, making it another significant milestone for the country’s football development. Gilani said the FIFA ASEAN Cup would provide Pakistan with an excellent opportunity to test its abilities against strong international opponents. He added that competing against quality teams would help the players gain valuable experience, improve their performance, and demonstrate Pakistan’s footballing potential on the global stage. He also expressed confidence that the tournament would contribute to the long-term growth of football in Pakistan by giving players international exposure and motivating young athletes to pursue the sport professionally. According to him, participation in prestigious international competitions is essential for improving the country’s FIFA ranking and strengthening the national football structure. The confirmation of Pakistan’s participation has generated excitement among football fans, who view the tournament as an important opportunity for the national team to make its mark internationally. Supporters are hopeful that the players will deliver competitive performances and represent Pakistan with pride against some of Asia’s leading football nations. The announcement also reinforces the Pakistan Football Federation’s commitment to expanding the country’s presence in international football. Officials believe that regular participation in global and regional tournaments will accelerate the development of the sport and create more opportunities for Pakistani footballers. The Pakistan Football Federation has now formally confirmed the news, ending speculation and officially announcing the national team’s inclusion in the prestigious tournament. As preparations begin, the Pakistan men’s national team will focus on strengthening its squad and improving its performance ahead of the historic competition. The FIFA ASEAN Cup represents more than just another tournament—it marks Pakistan’s first step into FIFA men’s tournament football and offers a chance to compete on one of the biggest regional stages in the sport.