INCHEON: Afghanistan’s cricket chief on Wednesday called on top nations to tour the country, insisting it is safe and has world-class facilities boosted by foreign money.

Money from Germany is being used to build one stadium in the war-torn nation and interest is growing as Afghanistan has qualified for next year’s World Cup.

“I am telling the players to come to my country and play there, they will treasure those memories for ever,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Shahzada Masoud said at the Asian Games.

“We want support from other nations. We had lots of problems in the last 30 years because of the uncertain security situation, but that needs to be erased from our minds and heart now.

“Because sport unites people. Cricket is one of our favourite sports. You get 20,000-30,000 people watching our local league matches. The security is good, especially for cricketers.

“Our teams travels around the country without guards. We don’t need those guards. People love them because they represent the country,” he added.

Masoud said a new stadium in Jalalabad was comparable to any stadium in Asia, and has already hosted club and first-class teams from Pakistan.

Foreign assistance is boosting cricket facilities in Afghanistan. The Indian government has given a grant of one million dollars to build a new stadium in Kandahar.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd , 2014