Former English soccer superstar Michael Owen has signed a three-year contract as the Brand Ambassador of the Pakistan Football League (PFL) set to be launched soon, according to Dawn.com.
A statement from the Global Soccer Ventures (GSV), which has entered into a tie-up with the Pakistan Football Federation to organise the league, read, “Owen will take the reins of Pakistan football to help devise a strategic partnership programme by uniting the nation with the might of football in England. Owen will reveal the PFL logo from the home of football in England in October.”
Owen would be in Pakistan soon to host a number of master classes abd also launch the PFL logo. Dawn adds, “Owen’s “hybrid role” will include creating a global professional gateway for new Pakistani footballers who can adapt to the modern form of the game.”
“Pakistan’s football potential is huge and I am excited about identifying untapped talent in a nation of 220 million. I am looking to cross-promote and develop football between UK and Pakistan through the first ever franchise model league — The PFL,” said Owen in the statement and tweeting later, “Salam Pakistan! I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I’m the new Pakistan Football League (The PFL) Ambassador & I hope to be visiting Pakistan soon! Hope you all are ready! FOOTBALL HOGA!” Owen also tweeted.
Meanwhile, GSV CEO Zabe Khan said, “This is a striking partnership to help Pakistan move the goal posts to international development of football.”
The six-team league will have franchises representing Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Quetta and Islamabad. The itinerary will be announced soon.
