New Delhi: On the prospects of Pakistan players featuring in the money-spinning Indian Super League, which kicks off in October, Pakistan's head of delegation for the Indian tour, Sardar Naveed Haider Khan said that their participation depends upon government clearances.
“There were scouts who watched our players,” he said. “They were very impressed by the likes of Kaleem, Saddam and [goalkeeper] Muzammil Hussain but all of that would depend on whether they receive NOC's from the government.”
Former Pakistan head-coach Tariq Lutfi also hoped some of the players could be inducted in the inaugural season of the ISL.
The ISL is being organized by IMG-Reliance, which is also the main sponsor of the All India Football Federation after agreeing a 15-year marketing contract in 2010.
Former Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg and ex-Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra, who is of Indian origin, will be among the top names featuring in the draft for the October-December tournament. The tournament schedule has not yet been announced.
A similar process for Indian players was completed last month and the teams are allowed to contract two international players directly and five each from the draft in their squads of 22.
