From bats to boots: Ali Tareen enters race for Pakistan’s new football league

LAHORE: Famed businessman and former owner of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, Ali Khan Tareen has emerged as one of three contenders seeking approval from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to launch a new domestic football league, adding a fresh dimension to efforts aimed at reviving the sport’s long-dormant structure in the country.

The PFF last month invited expressions of interest from individuals and companies to establish a national league as part of reforms to strengthen Pakistan football. Tareen confirmed on Wednesday, the final day for submissions, that he had formally submitted his proposal.

In a post on social media platform X, the former owner of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans said his plan focuses on a long-term, six-month league structure rather than a short, franchise-based tournament. He stressed that the model he has proposed is designed to build sustainable growth for the sport.

Pakistan has been without a fully functional domestic football league since the Pakistan Premier Football League was last held in 2019, an article published by Dawn News said.

According to Tareen, his proposal includes home-and-away fixtures, equity ownership for participating teams, city-based rivalries with two clubs per city, and the mandatory inclusion of women’s teams playing earlier on matchdays, similar to formats adopted in leading international leagues.

Dawn article added that alongside Tareen, two other bids have been submitted by groups advocating a franchise-style league. One proposal comes from Global Soccer Ventures (GSV), which unveiled its Pakistan Football League project at a high-profile launch event in Lahore last year. The other bid has been submitted by Zabe Khan, a former GSV official who has since parted ways with the organisation.

Pakistan international footballer Kaleemullah, who has been associated with the GSV project, said the group helped reignite interest in the sport at a time when domestic football activity was minimal. GSV claims it has already sold five of its eight proposed franchises and is ready to roll out the league.

Zabe Khan, meanwhile, told Dawn that his proposal envisions a short-term franchise competition lasting between one month and 45 days, arguing that both franchise and club-based leagues could coexist to benefit Pakistani football.

The three bidders are expected to make detailed presentations to the Mohsen Gilani-led PFF on December 29, after which the federation will decide on its preferred partner. PFF President Mohsen Gilani has previously said the federation is aiming to develop a league system that is durable and commercially viable.

Ali Tareen, sharing his interest and his plans on X (formerly Twitter) said, “League > Tournament”.