PCB signs historic MOUs to boost cricket in Pakistani educational institutions

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signed groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MoUs)) with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) to enhance cricket promotion and infrastructure development in educational institutions across Pakistan.

The ceremony, hosted at the CDA headquarters, featured prominent figures such as PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Other notable attendees included Federal Secretary Interior Khurram Ali Agha, Federal Secretary Education Mohiuddin Wani, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, and senior officials from HEC, IBCC, and CDA.

Key representatives signing the MoUs were Director Domestic PCB Abdullah Khurram Niazi, Director Sports IBCC Muhammad Usman Khan, and Director Sports HEC Javed Ali Memon.

The collaboration aims to deliver successful cricket tournaments and leagues at school, college, and university levels, targeting both boys and girls nationwide. The initiative includes establishing cricket academies in higher education institutions and advancing women's cricket. HEC will support exceptional players with sports scholarships.

PCB plans to offer specialized coaching courses for Physical Training Education (PTE) teachers and have PCB coaches visit schools for training sessions. Additionally, PCB will provide free training to ground staff and curators in higher education institutions.

Outstanding performers from school and college tournaments will have the chance to join PCB U17 and U19 teams and train at High-Performance Centres. Annual training courses will also be organized for selected players from inter-university championships.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, "We are excited about this historic effort to promote cricket at the grassroots level. The organization of inter-school, inter-collegiate, and inter-university tournaments will help us identify and nurture young talent across the country."

Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui highlighted the importance of school-level sports, saying, "Schools are the nurseries of talent. Good players often emerge from school-level sports. Under these agreements, the IBCC will oversee tournament arrangements in collaboration with all educational boards, while the HEC will develop a framework to promote cricket in higher education institutions."