PCB asked to form Cricket Associations in FATA

Sunday, 23 November 2008

PESHAWAR, Nov 22 (APP): The Office‑Bearers of the FATA Adhoc Body Saturday urged Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt to form cricket associations in tribal agencies as the tribal belt was rich in cricket potential.

Addressing a press conference Haji Taimur Afridi said that time has come to tap the hidden sporting potential of tribal youth and formation of the regular cricket associations in the tribal regions would help in exploring the cricket potential besides contributing towards promotion of the game.

He disclosed that the PCB had started registration process for club registration in Fata in February 2008 but no progress to this effect has been made till date.

Flanked by Presidents and Secretaries of the Adhoc Body from Khyber, Bajaur, Kurram, Orakzai and Mohmand Agencies, FR Peshawar, FR Kohat, FR Bannu, Haji Taimur Afridi said that (33) clubs from Khyber Agency, 10 clubs from Khurram Agency, FR Kohat (6), Mohmand (6), North Waziristan Agency (6), Bajaur Agency (17), FR Dera Ismail Khan (1), FR Peshawar (1), FR Lakki (1), Orakzai Agency (1), FR Bannu (1) have been registered with the Regional General Manager PCB Anwar Zeb Jan in Peshawar.

The tribal areas are full of cricket talent but no step has been taken for promoting and facilitating the players to exhibit their skill.

He said that the coordinator appointed by PCB in 2003 for looking after the affairs of cricket’s promotion in FATA has failed in the fulfillment of his primary task.

Haji Taimur Afridi questioned the PCB’s efforts for the promotion of cricket and said the real talent in FATA has still not yet been explored. While giving example of the district he said that Lakki Marwat, a district similar to Tehsil Bara (Khyber Agency) was given separate status but an area half of the province was ignored of similar facilities.

The PCB on one hand giving separate status to a small district Lakki but on the other denied the same to people of FATA.

He hailed the appointment of Javed Miandad as Director General PCB and expressed the confidence that the new DG would no ignore Fata in sporting activities “We want to have an elected and honest body that could work with the support of PCB for the promotion of cricket in FATA,” Haji Taimur said.

He also appreciated Political Administration, FATA Directorate for taking steps in providing sports facilities to the youth in FATA. Taimur Afridi while criticizing the recently held trials under PCB Talent Hunt scheme said that it was a futile effort because many youngsters were not aware of such trials due to least interest shown by coordinator FATA.

“We were not informed about the trials and the players of the existing clubs were kept in the dark,” he added.