AFL Pakistan all out to win Asia Cup
Asem Mustafa Awan
Islamabad: Michael Gallus from Australia assigned with the unique task to coach the national team of both men and women has a target to make them stand at the podium and that too before Christmas.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from December 6 with 16 teams competing for the coveted trophy.
Michael is probably the only foreign coach in Pakistan who works in a voluntary capacity and what motivates him is his love for the sport and the players who in their teens are now matured.
He has an unfathomable passion for the sport and seeing the raw talent in Pakistan he couldn’t hold back but to be a part of this unique transformation that transcends beyond borders.
He trains the men’s team for three hours followed by an hour’s break and then two hours for the women team.
“The target is the Asia Cup,” said Michael adding ,” It is not to compete but to win and we have done it in the past in 2022 in Thailand and we can do it this time as well.”
“I have full faith in the team as the talent I have seen and witnessed makes them all very exceptional players and with proper coaching and guidance they can even be in professional leagues given the chance.”
Michael has been associated as a national coach for seven years and since 2017 he has formed a bond with the team that respects and values his training and coaching methods.
He has been inspirational and it is evident from the fact that in 2022 they achieved what was never expected from them.
Michael believes that transformation is only due to commitment and passion and the teams he is associated with have overcome many hurdles besides family pressures particularly in case of women players.
“The government pressure is besides the point,” said Michael,” I have the most talented and versatile players in the women’s category who are courageous and resilient beyond years and they are also going not to compete but to win.”
“Their tackling is the toughest and hardest across all of Asia and I have witnessed and seen the other teams.”
Michael in a lighter note said, “I should be given the citizenship of Pakistan as the work and efforts I do in building the soft image of Pakistan should be recognized at the highest level.”
“These are the ambassadors of Pakistan and I lead them onto the victory stand and beyond.
