Pakistani Pele:D
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
Pakistan’s ‘Black Pele’ hopes World Cup brings family joy
http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/28/images/spt03.jpg
KARACHI, May 27: For Abdul Ghafoor, once known as the ‘Black Pele of Pakistan’, life revolves around football and he has found a renewed vigour ahead of the World Cup finals.
The 65-year-old is usually found grumbling about the curse of old age but sparks to life at the mere mention of football and the mega event in Germany which helps him forget his loss of hearing and nearly impaired vision.
As the showpiece events approaches, the former Pakistan captain has two wishes – that Brazil retains its title and his jailed son Abdul Ghani is released on June 8, a day before the tournament kicks off.
“Football has given me everything – fame, respect and recognition. They called me Pele and I am proud of it,” Ghafoor said.
“Now I wish my innocent son is released and I see Brazil win the title in Ghani’s company.”Ghani, who played football for domestic teams, was arrested in early 2004 from his home in Karachi in a crackdown against extremists and remains under lock and key.
The employee of a state-owned bank was accused of planning terrorist acts and is awaiting trial at a Karachi prison.
“My son’s only fault was that he grew a beard and he played football,”claimed Ghafoor.
The midfielder was part of Pakistan’s set-up when it was a credible footballing nation, grinding its way into Asia’s top 10 with players in demand from league clubs in India.
Ghafoor played in Dhaka in the 1960s and later represented Mohammedan Sporting in the Calcutta league in India.
It was in Dhaka, which became the capital of Bangladesh in 1971, where he met his wife Sabiha, who also has a penchant for football.
“My husband has been a football hero in Pakistan. There was a time when we couldn’t go out because hundreds of people would gather outside and want to see their Pele,” said Sabiha, whose other son Abdul Waheed plays for Pakistan Army.
“People said he was a carbon copy of Pele and adored him no end,” she remembered.
Ghafoor now stays away from football grounds but avidly stays in touch with the English Premiership and Brazilian soccer.
“Now I just watch Brazil and remember our good old days. We were so good then that we could have been in the World Cup, but politics and an indifferent attitude from the government plunged us into oblivion.
“Pakistan’s representation in the 2006 World Cup is confined to sending a few hundred balls to be used in practice sessions, and the attendance of three Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) officials at the opening ceremony.
Despite his advancing years, Ghafoor hopes one day to meet his long-time idol, Pele, who was a member of Brazil’s winning squads in 1958, 1962 and 1970,
“I saw him play on television, the 1958 World Cup when he scored so many goals and the following World Cups.
“He was the toast of world football. I couldn’t get a chance to meet him but I am sure one day I will meet Pele, it’s my firm belief.”—AFP
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
If his son is innocent he should be released
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
Great info! Thanx for sharing guys.
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
makrani ppl are like him…and they play football …and he is makrani.
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
Makrani people are the best soccer players in Pakistan. We should fire the current one and fill out team with Makranis. Believe me, we'll atleast beat the arab soccer teams
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
I wish Pakistan was in the world cup this year. I mean look at some of the teams playing and you know we could be more capable of winning in the tournament. I say, fill up the Pakistani team with Makrani's(the really are excellent at sports like Boxing and soccer) and they know how to work up a team spirit(which is really important especially in Soccer), make sure the team is trained intensely with no suffarish!!! just merit and skills.also put some Balouch(Quetta), and Gilgitis because these guys are also naturally awesome soccer players. and top it off with a BRazilian or German coach and u'll see. Come on if Saudi Arabia(who'se team in suspiciously all african), Iran can make it to the world cup, I dont see why Pakistan cant!
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
Suffarish/merit/skills hahahahaah
R u sure u talking about Pakistanis???
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
Pathans and Makranis are the only people in Pakistan who can play soccer.
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
Gilgitis and Balouch are awesome players too, they also have natural talent. Only I would say Pakhtuns are good…not pathans, plus some panjabis(multan/seraiki- the had a good team in our college days)
of course, football is an international game with well established guidelines successfully emulated in several countries(eg. Algieria, Ghana, Togo etc..), if u want to succeed then u’ll have to run camps on merit basis and international standards, its the only way that we’ll have a chance.
Pakistan has got enough talent just needs the infrastructure and same ‘craze’ for cricket and it would go far
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
of course, football is an international game with well established guidelines successfully emulated in several countries(eg. Algieria, Ghana, Togo etc..), if u want to succeed then u'll have to run camps on merit basis and international standards, its the only way that we'll have a chance.
Pakistan has got enough talent just needs the infrastructure and same 'craze' for cricket and it would go far
very well said, Im sure given the right training and infrastructure we would be awesome soccer competition in the world.
after u win one semidecant cup/tropy then the ball get rolling and people will develop interest like in cricket.
Anyhow, have hope and insha-Allah one day it will happan soon because there is tooo much talent in Pakistan in every corner and province:)
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
Pakistan will never see a world cup match in our lifetime.
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
especially not with people like u around and your type of thinking it wont.
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
Why’s that, because people like me are “realistic”? If you want to live in a fantasy world, by all means, but please don’t make yourself look stupid by thinking that Pakistan will see a World Cup in our lifetime.
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
lol.. somebodies^^ getting all emotional.. so u have low expectations of Pakistan, thats ur opinion and u should keep it to yourself.
I remember my brother watching Pak soccer in the Saarc and Asia cup, and they did better than expected. so I know anything is possible, no need to have such low esteem, cuz thats what truly is Stupid.
if u think & know u cant----> u will definately never will
if u think u can---> u have a chance(even if its 1 in a million).
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
well said cindy
soccer is mostly training +incentives(i.e. $$$$$$) spread over a few years
that should be our focus cuz we have the talent but not the commitment and judging by one person in this thread, 'esteem', lol! few decades ago, we could barely play cricket, anything is possible when it comes to Pakistan.i think it is possible for Pakistan to make it into the lower ranks of world cup(Insha-Allah) We need more Pak Pele's!!!!
Re: Soccer star “Pele” in Pakistan
Emotional? 
Finally, some entertainment on the site. Now I have low self esteem because I think Pakistani soccer is in a sorry state? Well, I guess that means pretty much everyone out there (except the few people living in “la la land” like you) have low self esteem.
I think you should give your “pep” talk to the Pakistani Soccer team players, because it seems their morale is quite low.
Re: Soccer star "Pele" in Pakistan
Edit: tsk tsk ... talk talk and talk ... washed away into the guter ...