LAHORE - National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Syed Ali Raza praised the soccer activity of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and ordered the bank's sports wing to sponsor the National Football Challenge Cup (NFCC) - a precious event in PFF's Calendar, said Iqbal Qasim, NBP Sports Division Head during event draws unveil ceremony at FIFA Football House on Thursday. The tournament will be played from April 15-28 at HESCO Stadium, named in memory of Umaid Ali Kaimkhani Shaheed, near Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad. Iqbal was of the view that the NBP Sports Cell was the most organised one in the country. NBP sponsors sports in all parts of the country and provides jobs to sportsmen and helps them earn an honorable living. "NBP President Syed Ali Raza will grace the occasion as chief guest when Hyderabad hosts the final of the NBP National Football Challenge Cup on April 28. Earlier on April 15, NBP's Dr. Mirza Ibrar Baig, Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) and group chief, Human Resources Management and Administration (HRM&A) will perform opening ceremony with traditional kick, said Qasim. PFF's Secretary General Lt.Col (r) Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi said that there was a time when organisations including those of the government such as PIA, Customs, Railways, Police etc would patronise various sports but over a period of time owing to financial constraints they almost abandoned this. The NBP took the initiative. "I hope that other corporate organisations would emulate it in an organised manner and keep it going in a systematic manner as the NBP is doing," he added. NBP's Shahzad A. Shami (PBC Lahore), Muhammad Usman Khokhar ( ROC Lahore), Dr. Jamil (sports incharge) and Tariq Butt (protocol chief) were also present on this occasion. Iqbal appreciated PFF 's promotional work for soccer during past six years and said the game is gaining ground in Pakistan due to which sponsors are finding attraction in football. "NBP used to sponsor various sports in Pakistan in order to create healthy atmosphere around the country, and we are proud to sponsor the 19th edition of NFCC," added Iqbal. Finally, Ahmed Yar Khan, on behalf of PFF chief, congratulated NBP's officials for heroic display of NBP-based goal keeper Amir Gul who conceded only three goals in as many matches in Sri Lanka's third AFC Challenge Cup 2009 Qualifiers that concluded on Wednesday. "Six NBP's players were in the 20-player Pakistani squad and we welcome striker Muhammad Asif into international soccer circuit who made debut on April 4 against Chinese Taipei. Bank's defenders Atiq Ullah, Mehmood Khan, Yasir Sabir and midfielder Abdul Aziz also played their part with utmost satisfaction," added PFF Director Operation Wng Cmdr (r) Pervaiz Saeed Mir.