ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Muhammad Waseem, Chief Selector, Pakistan Cricket Board said that the business community was playing key role in the economic development of the country and they should come forward to patronize cricket in clubs, schools and regions that would help in grooming the new talent and promoting cricket in the country. He said this while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI).
Muhammad Waseem said that finance was key for promoting any sport including cricket and the role of the business community was very important in patronizing sports activities to bring out new sporting talent in various fields of games including cricket. He said that realizing the important role of the business community for sports, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja has started to reach out to them so that they could contribute to strengthen cricket in the country. He said that international cricket has now come back to Pakistan and this year’s calendar was already fully packed. He said that ICCI members would be invited to cricket matches so that they could play a role to promote sports culture.
Speaking at the occasion, Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that the global sports industry was worth over US$ 400 billion and Pakistan could bring significant improvement in its economy by promoting sports including cricket. He said that survival and growth of many businesses depended on the sports industry and promotion of cricket and other sports would facilitate the better growth of many industries and businesses. He appreciated the great efforts of Ramiz Raja, Chairman PCB and Muhammad Waseem Chief Selector PCB for reviving international cricket in Pakistan. He said that a healthy body produced a healthy mind and added that ICCI has formed a Sports Committee to focus on promoting sports activities in the business community. He assured that ICCI would cooperate with PCB in further promoting cricket in the region.
Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh Senior Vice President, Muhammad Faheem Khan Vice President ICCI, Asher Hafeez Convener ICCI Sports Committee, Muhammad Naveed Malik former Senior Vice President and others also spoke at the occasion and stressed for the need of closer cooperation between ICCI and PCB to promote cricket in this region.