According to reports in Aaj TV news and The Nation, legendary football superstar Zinedine Zidane – perhaps the greatest player of modern football – will be visiting Pakistan in March this year.
The main purpose of the visit is to raise funds for special children in Pakistan and he will also visit earthquake affected areas. He will be coming to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for charity dinners. This is part of Zidane’s worldwide charity tours and he visited Algeria recently, Bangladesh in November 2006 and now coming to Pakistan.
This vist is being arranged by famous French-Pakistani fashion designer Mahmood Bhatti who comes to Pakistan every year to raise money for charity. According to The Nation:
Bhatti said he had planned Zidane’s visit to help improve Pakistan’s image in the world. “We all need to contribute in every way we can to improve Pakistan’s image in the world. There should be no politics when this national interest is at stake. “I believe all well-known Pakistanis living abroad should be approached by the government and asked to contribute in the development of country. They should be honoured and given recognition for their services,� he said.
… After the quake tragedy Bhatti raised Rs 15 million by organising a dinner at the residence of Pakistani ambassador in Paris. Bhatti has no outlet for his label in Pakistan. He, however, is ready to give franchise here if he found the right business people. Bhatti now comes to Pakistan only for charity reason. For two years in a row he has been holding shows here to raise funds for charity Umeed-e-Noor that takes care of special children.
By the way, the company “Bhatti”, with more than 500 designers, operates in Finland, India, Poland, Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, the US and the UK; and through which he has transacted multi-million dollar transatlantic business over more than three decades.
On Zinedine Zidane, the story in The Nation points out:
Two times world’s best player and three times Europe’s best player Zidane led his team to win the 1998 World Cup held in France. In 2006 again he led his team to finals of World Cup. One of the best soccer players in history, Zidane, earlier this month visited Algeria – the country of his parents – where he was awarded a tumultuous welcome by the government and people and a three-day holiday was declared.
Being a football fan, I have loved watching Zidane do magic on football pitch. In all those 10 years or so I have watched him play in Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A, I have never seen anyone move with football like Zidane. It is unfortuate that some people remember him because of that head butt incident in 2006 World Cup final but I will always remember him for the great things he did on the football pitch. Watch this and this clip on youtube and you will agree with me.
Sorry, I made a mistake. It was not July but November 2006 that Zidane went to Bangladesh.
Ahsan
Football is possibly the least expensive of all sports and can be played by all in open spaces. It also is among the healthiest games for players and can be easily understood and enjoyed by millions. It also does not waste time of those watching and makes them feel good. Alas, not so in Pakistan. Even Hockey having similar characteristics to Football in which we once excelled in the world, is on the decline.
ONE REASON: Where have all the Playgrounds Gone????
Gone to housing Everyone!!!!
For the sake of the health of Pakistanis, particularly of the younger generation, I give the Zidane visit the greatest importance. Properly orchestrated it can bring a Sea-change in how we look at sports and particularly Football – not just as an entertainment but for physical and mental health of the Pakistanis.
The Sialkot Football industry can play a monumental role towards popularising it as the people’s sport. The Industry has gained enormous financial benefits by supplying Quality Footballs to FIFA and the World Cups.
I believe each Football/Sports Manufacturer/Industrialist has made enough money to easily create and sponsor a Team with its own LOGO and under its own Name and have nationwide competitive tournaments. They can provide them with the FIFA standard Footballs to play with – even the ones not accepted by FIFA would vastly contribute to raise the standard of the game. Who can say that a Pakistani World Cup standard team is not thus raised?
Countries with fewer people and much less physical talent have shown their prowess in the world’s most popular sport.
It is high time that the Sialkot Sports industry paid back a little. In fact, if they could think a bit long-term, the Football popularisation would BENEFIT THEM AS MUCH if not more, by opening a huge domestic market for their Football and allied products. That is more so, when they are already loosing their once monopoly of providing FIFA Worldcup Footballs to China an other budding competitors.
THINK a little, the Sialkot Billionaires, OR SINK.
“This is part of Zidane’s worldwide charity tours and he visited Algeria recently and now coming to Pakistan and then to Bangladesh.”
Zidane had been already to Bangladesh last year in Jyly. Professor Muhammad Yunus was one of his hosts. He is not only a top player but also a top humanitarian. He was the first on the list (2006) of the most admired and loved by French people.
Ahsan
Great news. Thanks for sharing this. I have just emailed this to all my friends, speciailly European ones. I think Zidane is a great role model. This visit might also be great for football in Pakistan and people will get excited about this.
This is Awesome! It just made my day. Mr. Bhatti is a great example for all Pakistanis. Let’s achieve personal success and personal recognition and then use it for the betterment of our homeland. Cheers!