FIFA sends Monika Stab to assist Pakistan women

The world football body FIFA has sent a high-profile woman coach to help Pakistan women players to finetune their football skills ahead of next month's National Championship in Islamabad. Monika Stab, 44, who coached Frankfurt Football Club to 11 titles in Germany before becoming a FIFA coach, will hold coaching camps in several cities of Pakistan over the next six weeks. Stab, who played for Queen's Park Rangers and Southampton in England, said apart from providing tricks of the trade to the players, she would have an eye on the emerging talent. "My job is also to scout out players who can eventually make into Pakistan's women football team," she told PTI.

According to the Pakistan Football Federation the number of girls interested in playing football is increasing. The Federation has organised the National Championship for women twice since 2005, though players have had to adhere to a conservative code of conduct, which includes wearing baggy trousers and long sleeved shirts. Also unaccompanied male spectators have been prohibited from entering into the stadium.