ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday approved a framework for promotion of school cricket in particular and domestic cricket in general, advising the Central Punjab Cricket Association to implement the model in its entirety.

The prime minister attended a presentation on domestic cricket in the country with special focus on school cricket. The presentation was made by the Chairman of Central Punjab Cricket Association (CPCA), Abdullah Khan Sumbal.

The meeting was also attended by Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shahbaz Gill, Pakistan Cricket Board’s CEO Wasim Khan and CPCA’s chief executive Khurram Niazi.

The prime minister appreciated the model developed by CPCA, which is affiliated with the PCB, and called for its replication all over the country strategically.

The prime minister asserted his total support to the School Cricket Championship beginning in Central Punjab from Sept 15 and stated that school cricket had immense potential to generate and groom real cricketing talent.

Chief Secretary Punjab Jawad Rafique Malik highlighted the significant role of the Punjab government in this major initiative.

“Pleased to review efforts of Punjab for revival of school cricket, especially [the] role of Central Punjab Cricket Association. 870 schools and 231 college grounds [as well as] 355 sports facilities (have been) developed across Punjab,” the prime minister said on Twitter.

He also urged all provinces to focus on reviving sports and providing sports facilities for the youth.

In a separate tweet, the prime minister also thanked Ehsan Mani for his contribution to cricket in Pakistan during his three-year tenure as the PCB chairman.

“I especially appreciate his setting up, for the first time, a regional domestic cricket structure in Pakistan and his role in bringing back international cricket teams to Pakistan,” the prime minister remarked.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2021