Manizeh Zainli

Last updated

Manizeh Zainli
NationalityPakistani
Occupation(s)Secretary General, Pakistan Football Federation

Manizeh Zainli is Pakistan's first female secretary general of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). [1] She was nominated for the post in February 2020 and steps down end of December 2020. [2] She is also the first female official of any football federation in South Asian countries.

Contents

Career

Zainli started her career as a discussion teacher in 2005. She then went on to serve as a head of administration at Links Schooling System in 2016. She became a principal at Westminster David Game College, Karachi in 2018.

She played football for two years Diya Women Football Club in Karachi. [3]

Her road to becoming the first female secretary general of PFF started when she was serving as the outreach council an administrator at Millennium Universal College. She was selected after regular interviews conducted by a committee set up by FIFA in February 2020 and became the first female Secretary General of PFF. [4] Munizeh also has 15 years of experience in top management. [5]

Manizeh Zainli has become one of the highest paid football official in the history of Pakistani football. [6] [7] Manizeh was recognized by ASEAN football federation for being among the 5 women secretary generals in Asia. [8] [9] Manizeh was represented as the only female official in South Asian Football conference.

Criticism

After her appointment, there was a lot of criticism on gender lines, with Manizeh being criticized for no having any background in football. Manizeh Zainli responded to the criticism, saying it does not deter her from her role responsibilities, and that the secretary general is an administrative position, which doesn't require a football background. [10]

During an interview with a Pakistani sport's channel, she responded to the commentators "I don’t want to respond to misogynists comments." She further said "I would let my work speak for itself and these things don’t bother me at all. I am here in an administrative position, although I have played some football but that is not required for my job neither do I need a coaching license as I am not a player or a coach. I am in administration so people should see my administrative work and background." [10]

According to sources, the PFF Normalization Committee wanted to remove Manizeh from her post citing financial irregularities. [11] These allegations were also made by Manizeh against the normalization committee. Manizeh Zainli got a stay order from a civil court in Lahore, preventing the PFF Normalization Committee from removing her [12] from her post after differences developed between her and PFF. [13] Manizeh zainli was again reinstated on 22 December 2020 by the new NC chair Mr Muneer Sadhana stating ‘The termination illegal’ In return Manizeh accepted to withdraw the court cases against the PFF and the ex NC Chair. www.dawn.com/news/amp/1597270

Future plans

Manizeh says she plans to set-up a football league for women, saying there's a lot of talent in men and women for football and that needs training and encouragement to shine. She is hoping to get a grant of 500,000 from FIFA to get started on women's football.[ citation needed ]

She has plans to help the football players in Pakistan affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. The PFF is starting a player relief fund. FIFA has decided to give $1.5 million to each member country that will help with the relief fund for Pakistani Players. [10] [14]

In an interview, PFF's General Secretary Manizeh Zainli said she is looking forward to providing as many opportunities as she can to the talent of Gilgit-Baltistan in the limited time-period she has. Subsequently, there have been training sessions conducted for the newly emerging girls football team in Gilgit-Baltistan territory [15] led by PFF's National Technical Director Daniel Limones. [16] [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punjab Stadium</span>

The Punjab Stadium is a football stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. It was nicknamed the "Ian Rush Stadium" after the Liverpool striker visited Pakistan to promote grassroots football in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football in Pakistan</span> Overview of football in Pakistan

Football is among the most popular team sports in Pakistan, together with long time number one cricket and hockey. Pakistan's current top domestic football league is the Pakistan Premier League, formed with sixteen clubs to promote football in the country. The first national league began in 2003 and was immediately recognised by the AFC as the official national football league. Football in general is run by the Pakistan Football Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Football Federation</span> Governing body of football in Pakistan

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is the national governing body of association football in Pakistan. It is a member of FIFA, the international governing body of football and affiliated to the Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation. The federation was founded in 1947, it also manages the futsal and beach soccer national teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jinnah Sports Stadium</span> Sports venue in Islamabad, Pakistan

Jinnah Sports Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 48,000 people and is the largest stadium in Pakistan.

Sport in Pakistan is a significant part of Pakistani culture. Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan. Football has also gained popularity in recent years, and is the second most popular sport in the country. Field hockey is the national sport, and was popular for several decades, with some of Pakistan's greatest sporting accomplishments having taken place in this sport, along with squash. Polo and traditional sports like kabaddi and other well-known games are also played.

Muhammad Essa Khan is a Pakistani football manager and former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is the current head coach of KRL FC in the Pakistan Premier League. Essa is one of the most well known faces in Pakistani football, due to his regular goal scoring at the international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karachi United</span> Pakistani football club

Karachi United Football Club is a Pakistani professional football club based in Clifton, Karachi. Karachi United competed in the Karachi Football League, one of the top leagues of Karachi. It currently competes in the Pakistan Premier League, the top tier of the Pakistani football league system.

Women's football in Pakistan officially began with the establishment of the first women club Diya WFC in 2002. Despite facing challenges, including societal norms and limited resources, women's football has garnered support and recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awami Workers Party</span> Political party in Pakistan

The Awami Workers Party is a left-wing socialist political party in Pakistan. The party seeks to unify the struggles of workers, peasants, students, women and ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan under the banner of a democratic and socialist political system. After the death of the AWP's founding leader Fanoos Gujjar in 2018, Senior Vice President Yousuf Mustikhan became its president.

Diana Baig is a Pakistani cricketer and footballer. In cricket, she plays primarily as a right-arm medium-fast bowler. Baig was included in Pakistan squad for the 2013 Women's Cricket World Cup and 2016 ICC Women's World Twenty20.

Princess Raheela Zarmeen Ahmadzai is a Pakistani footballer and the manager of the Pakistan women's national football team and Balochistan United FC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahlyla Baloch</span> Pakistani footballer (1996–2016)

Princess Shahlyla Ahmadzai Baloch was a Pakistani professional footballer who played as a forward for Balochistan United and the Pakistan national women's team. She was granddaughter of Prince Agha Abdul Karim Khan Ahmedzai who was the younger brother of the Khan of Kalat, Mir Ahmedyar Khan.

Abiha Haider is a Pakistani footballer who plays as a midfielder for Balochistan United and the Pakistan women's national football team. She was also the captain of Pakistan's Australian Football League team which competed in the 2017 Australian Football International Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election</span>

The 2015 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections were held on 8 June 2015. Elections were held in 24 constituencies, each electing one member to the 2nd Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly. 269 candidates contested these elections, either representing one of the political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan or being an independent candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly election</span> Legislative assembly elections held in the Pakistani-administered territory of Gilgit-Baltistan

The 2020 Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections were held on 15 November 2020. Elections were held in 24 constituencies, each electing one member to the 3rd Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly. 330 candidates contested these elections, either representing one of the political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan or being an independent candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masha United</span> Pakistani football club

Masha United is a Pakistani professional football club based in Faisalabad, Punjab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diya WFC</span> Pakistani football club

Diya Women Football Club, also referred to as Diya W.F.C., Diya WFC, Diya FC, Diya, Diya Women FC, or DWFC, is a Pakistani women's association football and futsal club based in Karachi. Diya means lamp in Urdu. It is the country's oldest women's football club, established in 2002. Diya W.F.C. has no affiliation to any men's club.

The 2021 National Women Football Championship was the 13th edition of the National Women Football Championship, the top-tier of women's association football in Pakistan. It was held in Karachi from 8 March to 3 April 2021. All matches in the group stage were held at the KMC and KPT stadiums with the latter scheduled to hold the finals. The Aga Khan Gymkhana held matches of the development stage. Pakistan Army were the defending champions, having won the 2019–20 National Women Football Championship.

The 2020 PFF National Challenge Cup was the 29th edition of domestic association football cup competition in Pakistan. 28 teams participated in the competition, commencing from 30 November and concluding on 20 December 2020. The competition was held in Lahore, with Punjab Stadium and Fame FC Ground hosting all the matches.

The Pakistan Fencing Federation is the governing body of fencing in Pakistan.The Federation was formed in 1999 with its headquarters in Lahore.

References

  1. ↑ FIFA.com. "Member Association - Pakistan". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "PFF's first female secretary-general steps down as her contract expires". The News International . 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. ↑ Wasim, Umaid (4 March 2020). "'Trained to be stronger', Manizeh looks to put PFF back on track". Dawn . Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  4. ↑ Khilari. "PFF normalisation committee appoints first female general secretary; announces provincial bodies - Khilari". www.khilari.com.pk. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "PFF NC names Zainli its general secretary". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  6. ↑ Editorial Staff (10 May 2020). "Manizeh highest paid football official in Pakistan ever [The News]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "Manizeh highest paid football official in Pakistan ever". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  8. ↑ AFF, Editor (7 March 2020). "The rise and rise of women's football in Asia". AFF - The Official Website Of The Asean Football Federation. Retrieved 17 November 2020.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. ↑ Sports247 (7 March 2020). "The rise and rise of women's football in Asia". Sports247. Retrieved 17 November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. 1 2 3 "Bossing the men's game: A chat with Pakistan football's first female admin". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  11. ↑ Wasim, Umaid (13 October 2020). "PFF Normalisation Committee taken to court by general secretary Manizeh". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  12. ↑ Abbas, Tauqeer (14 October 2020). "Removal of PFF secretary: Lahore civil judge issues stay order | Pakistan Shia News Agency" . Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  13. ↑ "Removal of PFF secretary: Lahore civil judge issues stay order | SAMAA". Samaa TV. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "Manizeh Zainli vows to help footballers affected by lockdown". BOL News. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  15. ↑ isbpostadmin (8 September 2020). "PFF holds coaching clinic for females in Gilgit-Baltistan". Islamabad Post. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  16. ↑ admin (8 September 2020). "PFF holds teaching clinic for females in Gilgit-Baltistan". Viral News Network -VNN. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "PFF holds coaching clinic for females in Gilgit-Baltistan". 8 September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.