Draft:Mohsen Gilani

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Syed Mohsen Gilani
BornJanuary 1975 (Age 50)
Pakistan
Alma materFIFA Master (Law, Management, and Humanities of Sport)
University of Oxford (Social Finance Program)
OccupationSports administrator
Known forPresident of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)

Syed Mohsen Gilani (born January 1975) is a Pakistani sports administrator who is the current president of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). He was elected to the position in May 2025, succeeding the FIFA Normalisation Committee (NC) which had managed the federation since 2019. Gilani's election marked the end of a six-year administrative vacuum within the PFF.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Gilani was born in Pakistan in January 1975.[3] He holds a master's degree from the prestigious FIFA Master in Law, Management, and Humanities of Sport.[4] Additionally, Gilani is an alumnus of the Social Finance Program at the University of Oxford.[4] His academic background includes co-authoring several research reports on global football development for FIFA and the International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES).[4]

Career

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Prior to his election as PFF President, Gilani had an extensive career in sports management and development at the international level. He notably served as a development officer for FIFA, gaining experience in projects across the Asian region.[1] His work at FIFA included contributions to the FIFA Performance Program, where he focused on developing marketing strategies for women's football leagues, and participation in the FIFA Football for Hope initiatives.[4] He also helped develop social finance models aimed at enhancing the inclusiveness and sustainability of football projects.[4]

Pakistan Football Federation Presidency

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Gilani contested the PFF Executive Committee elections held on May 27, 2025, in Lahore. The elections were overseen by international observers from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).[5] He won the presidency by securing 13 votes in the second round of polling, defeating Taha Alizai, who received 11 votes.[2][5] Upon his election, Gilani pledged to focus on structural reform, unity, and professional governance to steer Pakistan football away from its history of crises.[2]

Initiatives and vision

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In the months following his election, Gilani introduced several key initiatives outlining his roadmap for the federation:

  • Technical Development: He appointed former Peruvian international and Premier League player Nolberto Solano as the Head Coach of the national team, a move described as a symbol of the PFF's new direction.[6] Solano was tasked not just with coaching but with transforming the entire football culture and contributing to local coaching education.[6]
  • Infrastructure: The PFF signed an agreement with FIFA for the implementation of the FIFA Arena Program, aimed at building modern mini-pitches across Pakistan.[7]
  • International Collaboration: Gilani pursued Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with other football federations, including Saudi Arabia (focusing on women's football development) and Azerbaijan, and held discussions with representatives from La Liga for technical support.[6][7]
  • Branding and Identity: In September 2025, the PFF, under Gilani's leadership, approved and unveiled a new logo designed to better reflect Pakistan's national identity and heritage. Gilani stated the change was necessary for a modern, globally relevant visual identity.[8][9]
  • AFC Visit: During the official visit of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa to Pakistan, PFF president Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed the AFC delegation. In an interview, Sheikh Salman praised Gilani as a “football-minded” administrator and expressed optimism about the revival of football in Pakistan under his leadership. He stressed the need for transparency, proper governance and a professional domestic league to rebuild the sport.[10] Gilani’s election ended years of administrative turmoil in the PFF, earning him international recognition, including appointment to the FIFA Youth Boys Competitions Committee.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Faizan Lakhani (May 27, 2025). "Mohsen Gilani elected Pakistan Football Federation president". Geo Super. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Umaid Wasim (May 28, 2025). "Mohsen wins landmark elections to become new Pakistan Football Federation president". Dawn. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "Syed Mohsen GILANI personal appointments". Companies House (UK). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Mohsen Gilani Elected as New PFF President: A New Era for Pakistan Football". Footballer.pk. May 27, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Mohsen Gilani elected new PFF president after six-year hiatus". Business Recorder. May 27, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "PFF chief Gilani unveils vision for Pakistan football". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). August 22, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Newly elected PFF Chief Mohsen Gilani shares roadmap". The Express Tribune. July 19, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  8. ^ "Pakistan Football Federation approves new logo to reflect national identity". A Sports. September 5, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  9. ^ "PFF's New Logo Fails to Win Over Fans". ProPakistani. September 6, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  10. ^ Umaid Wasim (6 November 2025). "Interview: AFC president looking towards promising days for football in Pakistan". Dawn. DAWN Media Group. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  11. ^ "PFF President honoured with FIFA Youth Boys Competitions Committee membership". Geo Super. Geo TV Network. 3 October 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  12. ^ "AFC President puts faith in Mohsen Gilani to lead Pakistan's football rebuild". ProPakistani. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
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