LAHORE – The Al-Nisa School Quetta, in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under its CRIC4US Program, has set-up the first-ever academy in the Balochistan province.
CRIC4US is a grassroots development program launched by PCB in 2018 under the flagship of Women Cricket Vision 2022.
The purpose of the program is to develop women cricket at the grassroots level by establishing partnerships with schools across Pakistan, the PCB said in a statement.
Training sessions at the academy will start after Eid-ul-Azha.
At the launch yesterday, Women’s Cricket Senior General Manager Shahid Aslam said: “We are delighted with this development. PCB has made elaborate plans of promoting the sport across the country at the grassroots level.
“By introducing the sport to school girls at the Al-Nisa School, we are striving to tap the talent in Quetta and steadily grow our network across Balochistan. The school will run the academy and PCB local coach Aqil Khan and international Pakistan player Nahida Khan will also make regular visits to monitor the progress of the players.”
“The grassroots program offers an incredible opportunity to these players to explore the basics of the game before graduating to the national junior and senior levels. As the first step in the right direction, this initiative will form the pathways for future women players and school cricketers.” Shahid concluded.
The PCB, meanwhile, will continue to work with the government and private schools across the country with an aim of strengthening the player base at the grassroots level.
PCB coaches will monitor progress of the players across the country and identify the talent which can progress to higher stages of development and participation.
