Latest news with #ImranKhwaja
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Exiled Afghanistan Women Cricketers Get More ICC Backing
The International Cricket Council has pledged more support to Afghanistan's displaced women's cricketers to get back to playing. Most were forced into exile when the Taliban regained power in 2021 and then effectively outlawed women from playing sport. Many fled to Australia and held a match -- without their official crest -- in Melbourne earlier this year. The ICC's annual conference in Singapore at the weekend heard that progress had been made on the governing body's Afghanistan women's cricket initiative. "The programme aims to deliver structured support," the ICC said in a statement late Sunday. It includes "domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at key ICC global events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England," the statement continued, without giving details. But reports said it will enable Afghanistan players the chance to speak to fellow international cricketers and attend workshops conducted by coaches at the global showpieces. The initiative is a collaborative effort by the cricket boards of India, England, India and Australia under the supervision of ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja.
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
ICC initiative on Afghan women: Key engagement opportunities during next global meets
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that they will be provided key engagement opportunities during its next two major global tournaments — the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in initiative, revealed during the ICC's annual conference on Sunday, is part of a broader effort to assist Afghan women athletes who fled their country after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and banned women from playing sport, including players will receive key engagement opportunities at ICC events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup next year in England, as well as through high-performance initiatives and domestic playing opportunities,' the ICC said in a statement. While the governing body has not detailed the exact nature of these opportunities, it is understood that the cricketers, most of whom are now based in Australia, will be invited to attend workshops conducted by international coaches and engage with active international players during the events. The aim is to offer both technical exposure and moral support to a group that has been cut off from the sport in their initiative is being led under the supervision of ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA). The three boards had agreed during a previous meeting in Harare to come together in support of Afghan women cricketers and help chart a future for them within the global cricketing mention of 'domestic opportunities' in the ICC statement remains open to interpretation. However, there are indications that efforts are being made to integrate the displaced players into the lower tiers of the cricket structure in Australia. This could involve placing them in local grade cricket competitions, offering them a chance to return to regular match practice and remain connected to the professional the initiative may not immediately pave the way for international representation, it does provide Afghan women cricketers with renewed visibility and a platform to continue their association with the sport. At a time when their voices have been largely silenced within their own country, the ICC's gesture signals a quiet but resolute stand in favour of inclusivity and hope.- EndsYou May Also Like
Int'l Cricket Council
2 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Cricket Council
Outcomes after ICC Annual Conference in Singapore
The International Cricket Council (ICC) held its Annual Conference in Singapore, where the Board received an update on progress relating to the support for displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent. This initiative is being advanced through a collaborative effort led by the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), under the supervision of ICC Deputy Chair Mr Imran Khwaja. The programme aims to deliver structured support through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at key ICC global events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England. In relation to USA Cricket, the ICC reiterated its previous position and confirmed that the organisation remains on notice. USA Cricket is required to undertake comprehensive governance reforms, including but not limited to completing free and fair elections within a three-month period. The Board, however, reserves the right to take such actions as it deems appropriate. The Board also confirmed the awarding of hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 editions to the England and Wales Cricket Board, following a successful track record in hosting recent finals. Additionally, Mr Gurumurthy Palani (France Cricket), Mr Anuraag Bhatnagar (Cricket Hong Kong, China), and Mr Gurdeep Klair (Cricket Canada) were elected to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) as Associate Member representatives. Formal votes of thanks were recorded to outgoing ICC Chief Executive Mr Geoff Allardice, and to departing CEC members Mr Sumod Damodar (Botswana Cricket Association), Mr Rashpal Bajwa (Cricket Canada), and Mr Umair Butt (Cricket Denmark), for their service to the global game. Two new members joined the ICC family to take the total membership to 110 members with Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and Zambia Cricket Union formally becoming ICC Associate members. The ICC AGM also formally adopted the annual report and audited accounts of the ICC Group for the year 2024 together with the auditor's report.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
ICC Initiative On Afghanistan Women: Key Engagement Opportunities During Next 2 Global Meets
The displaced women cricketers from Afghanistan, who fled their country due to Taliban rule, will receive key engagement opportunities during the next two global events, the ICC said during its annual conference on Sunday. They will be involved in the women's 50-over World Cup in India and Sri Lanka later this year and the 2026 women's T20 World Cup in England. During the last meeting in Harare, it was decided that a high-powered committee comprising representatives from the three richest cricket boards -- India, England and Australia -- will come together to help the Afghan women cricketers, most of whom fled to Australia after Taliban came to power. "In line with ICC's initiative for supporting the displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent, the players will receive key engagement opportunities at ICC events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup next year in England, as well as through high-performance initiatives and domestic playing opportunities," the ICC stated in a release. "The initiative is being advanced through a collaborative effort led by the ICC under the supervision of Deputy Chair Mr Imran Khwaja, in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA)," it further stated. While the ICC release didn't specify what kind of "engagement opportunities" will be provided to them during the two global events, it has been learnt that Afghan women cricketers will get a chance to speak to cricketers and attend workshops conducted by international coaches under the aegis of ICC. The meaning of "domestic opportunities" is still very sketchy as most of these cricketers live in Australia. It could be a case of integrating them into the lower tier of the cricket system and give them an opportunity to play grade cricket Down Under.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
ICC initiative on Afghanistan women: Key engagement opportunities during next 2 global meets
Image credit: ICC Displaced women cricketers from Afghanistan, who were forced to flee their country following the Taliban's return to power, will be provided key engagement opportunities at upcoming global events, the ICC confirmed during its annual conference on Sunday. The players are set to be involved in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka later this year, as well as the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in England. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! A decision taken at the previous ICC meeting in Harare led to the formation of a high-powered committee comprising representatives from the BCCI , ECB, and CA – the three most financially powerful cricket boards – to support Afghan women cricketers, many of whom have taken refuge in Australia. "In line with ICC's initiative for supporting the displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent, the players will receive key engagement opportunities at ICC events, including the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup next year in England, as well as through high-performance initiatives and domestic playing opportunities," the ICC stated in a release. "The initiative is being advanced through a collaborative effort led by the ICC under the supervision of Deputy Chair Mr Imran Khwaja, in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA)," it further stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo India camp hit by more injuries, Playing XI TENSION before Manchester Test vs England Although the ICC release didn't specify the exact nature of the 'engagement opportunities' to be offered during the two World Cups, it is understood that the Afghan women players will have the chance to interact with international cricketers and participate in workshops conducted by elite coaches under the ICC's umbrella. As for 'domestic opportunities,' details remain unclear, particularly since most of these players currently reside in Australia. One possible approach could involve integrating them into the grassroots levels of the sport, giving them a pathway to play grade cricket in the Australian system. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
