For the first time in Pakistan’s football history, a woman has been appointed as the manager of a boys’ team. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced Urooj Sohail Butt as the new manager of the Pakistan Under-17 football team.
Urooj Sohail Butt is currently working as a Safeguarding Officer at the PFF and holds official certifications from both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as a safeguarding officer.
Her role involves ensuring the safety, well-being, and fair treatment of all players, and she has extensive experience in managing player welfare.
The PFF stated that this appointment aligns with FIFA’s global policy of promoting equal opportunities in football, regardless of gender. The decision reflects a growing recognition of women’s leadership abilities in the sport and aims to encourage greater female participation at all levels.
Under her management, the Pakistan Under-17 team will compete in two major tournaments later this year: the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship and the Asian Qualifiers. Both events are considered important opportunities for young players to showcase their skills and gain valuable international experience.
Urooj’s appointment is being seen as a groundbreaking step for women in sports leadership in Pakistan. It not only represents progress toward gender equality in football but also sends a strong message that merit and capability are the key factors in leadership roles.
All the information has been compiled from publicly available sources. The accompanying image is AI-generated and provided for reference purposes only.
