The Hindu : Afghanistan seeks India's help to develop the game

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Afghanistan seeks India's help to develop the game

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA JUNE 30. Afghanistan, one of the latest entrants into the fold of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as associate member, is looking to India to help develop the sport in that country.

A two-member delegation of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (AFC) met the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, recently and emphasised the role of `big brother' India in helping the fledgling cricketing nation grow the sport in a systematic way.

Mr. Dalmiya told them that he would take up their cause with the ACC and send teams to play at different levels to promote the game there.

The two officials of the ACF, Mr. Allah Dad Noori, executive vice-president and Mr. Raees Khan Jaji, administrative vice-president, strongly pitched for India's role in terms of monetary, technical and other support.

"In the last eight years of ACF's existence, money has been the biggest hurdle for Afghan cricket despite the present government supporting us. Then we need equipment and technical support to develop pitches and outfield,'' he said.

The officials felt cricket was very popular in their country and would become even more dominant once the children took to the game. This was only possible if the ACF could provide good facilities. Presently as many as 16 out of 29 provinces participate in grade I cricket in Afghanistan. There are 240 clubs affiliated to the ACF. "The ACC and the BCCI have promised to send their delegations to inspect the facilities in Afghanistan. We have plans to start a new tournament in the name of Baba-e-Millat where the 16 provincial teams would participate,'' he said.

Kabul is the Afghan cricket's headquarter. The game has taken roots at Logar, Parwan and Ghazni in the north and Jelalabad, Kandahar, Khost and Kona in the south. The game did suffer a jolt since 1996 when Taliban regime insisted on religious activity rather than sporting activity to flourish. With the change in government, the game is being played with greater fervour.

Noori himself played for the Afghan National side in two tournaments in Pakistan as a medium pacer with some success.

The officials said with the recognition of the ICC in 2001 and now the ACC giving Afghanistan a new status, the developmental work should begin in full swing with the aid and support coming in plenty.

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