PESHAWAR: Ehsan Mani, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and head of the Pakistan Task Force on Sports, on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan is keen to boost sports sector in the country and that is why the PM has tasked him with streamlining all sporting affairs.

Talking exclusively to APP, Mani underlined the need for a long-term strategy to improve and streamline sports in Pakistan which according to him has almost reached the dead-end and further deteriorating with each passing day.

“We have jumped into the field to completely revamp the sports-related affairs with a wish to involve private sector to get more sponsorship for ensuring the best available resources and facilities to our players,” Mani said.

Accompanied by Fata Olympic Association president Shahid Khan Shinwari, Mani said the prime minister is truly spirited to make Pakistan a progressive country in the world of sports and other sectors.

“I will continue my endeavours for coming up to the expectations of the prime minister with regard to developing sports at grassroots level in Pakistan and bring back the right man for the right job.”

Mani, who was elected unopposed PCB chairman for a three-year term after his nomination by the prime minister as the PCB patron, has a vast cricket administration experience and is also a member of the board of governors.

He previously represented Pakistan at the International Cricket Council from 1996-2002 and served as its president from 2003 to 2006.

Mani said the PCB has a duty to protect its players’ welfare as well as their reputation and using his vast experience he wants to introduce long-term planning to bring back talented youth of Fata into cricket mainstream.

“I proposed eight regional [cricket] teams by myself with an aim to give ample opportunities to each of the youth associated with the game to come forward and show talent. Such steps would also enhance the selection pool of the players for national teams,” he said.

“I’m really impressed the way new talent from the tribal areas, despite facing difficult situation, is coming up. Developing infrastructure will help these youngsters not only in the game of cricket but in other disciplines too,” Mani remarked.

“I want to work on eight to nine games right now from the grassroots level by involving the private sector.”

He also appreciated Shahid for his dedicated and sustained efforts in bringing back tribal youth to playing fields.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahid said the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after completion of 110 grounds at tehsil, district and educational institutions levels has also announced construction of 1,000 grounds.

“It would certainly lure every youngster of the tribal belt towards playing fields instead of going into wrong hands,” Mani said and added, “I am also working on a comprehensive plan to ensure facilities to the youth and soon that plan would be submitted to the prime minister for approval.”

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2018