Woman named manager of Pakistan Boys’ Under-17 squad

ISLAMABAD: In a move hailed as a new chapter for sports in the country, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has appointed Arouj Sohail Butt as the manager for the national Under-17 boys’ football team. This marks a first in the history of Pakistani football, with a woman taking on a leadership role for a boys’ squad.

Arouj Sohail Butt, who is a certified Safeguarding Officer with both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has been entrusted with overseeing the under-17 squad as it prepares for the upcoming SAFF Championship and Asian Qualifiers this year.

Her appointment is a direct reflection of the PFF’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all, a core principle of FIFA’s governance policies.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to dismantle barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in high-level football administration in Pakistan. While women have long been involved at the grassroots level, their representation in strategic and operational roles has remained low.

However, this is not the first time the federation has taken such a progressive step; Manizeh Zainli was appointed as General Secretary by the PFF Normalization Committee in 2019.

A federation representative commented on the decision, stating, “This move not only reinforces our dedication to gender equality but also underscores our commitment to professionalism and institutional excellence, with a strong focus on safeguarding our young athletes.”

The appointment is being celebrated by the football community and advocates for women in sports as a significant sign of progress. It is widely hoped that this pioneering decision will inspire more women to pursue leadership positions in Pakistani football and contribute to the sport’s development at all levels.