Kabul, October 26, 2011: Etisalat Afghanistan, a 100% owned subsidiary of Etisalat Telecommunications, UAE and Afghanistan Cricket Board today announced renewal of their partnership for the promotion and development of Cricket in Afghanistan. The ceremony held at Serena Hotel, Kabul was attended by Shahzada Masood, Vice Chairman Afghanistan Cricket Board, Yasser Aboul Amayem, Chief Commercial Officer Etisalat Afghanistan, Nasimullah Danish, CEO Afghanistan Cricket Board, officials of Afghanistan Cricket Board and Etisalat Afghanistan, Nawroz Mangal, Captain of National Cricket Team along with players of National ‘A’ and U-19 team.

Today’s ceremony marked the commitment of Afghanistan Cricket Board and Etisalat Afghanistan for development of Cricket at the grass root levels. Etisalat Afghanistan is the official sponsor of Afghanistan Cricket Board and the National Cricket Team.

Cricket in Afghanistan is considered as the most popular sports in lieu of recent brilliant performances of the National Cricket Team on the world stage. The ascent of Afghanistan National Cricket team and rising popularity of the game in the country is considered arguably one of the most scintillating stories in the history of sports. Inspite of limited resources and young history of Cricket in the country compared to some of the biggest names internationally; Afghanistan National Cricket team has been ranked among the top ten cricket playing nations across the globe. The National Cricket Team is the reigning champions of ICC Inter Continental Trophy and has also gained the ICC One Day International Status (ODI) till 2013.

The renewed partnership between Etisalat Afghanistan & Afghanistan Cricket Board entails extensive efforts towards the development of Cricket in Afghanistan including support to National Under- 19 team, National ‘A’ team, Domestic Cricket infrastructure development and nationwide talent program for the next three years.

Shahzada Masood, Vice Chairman of Afghanistan Cricket Board while speaking on the occasion said, “Afghanistan Cricket Board greatly values our long standing partnership with Etisalat Afghanistan and deeply appreciate their vision and continuous support towards the development of Cricket in the country. The rise of Cricket in Afghanistan is inspiring the youth with a hope for a bright future.”

Yasser Aboul Amayem, Chief Commercial Officer Etisalat Afghanistan stated, “Etisalat Afghanistan remains committed in empowering Sports in Afghanistan. We have stood shoulder to shoulder with Afghanistan Cricket Board for the promotion and development of Cricket in general and the youth of Afghanistan in particular. We see this as a journey as well as an excellent opportunity to tap the talent of younger segment of the society, encouraging them towards healthy and prosperous activities and there is no better platform available than Sports to give them exposure and a chance to show their skills on the world stage”.

He further said, “We take pride in supporting Cricket as the National Cricket Team remains committed in performing at the highest level, changing the perception of the world about their country. The performances of National Cricket Team have already proven that more than anything, it’s about determination and resilience—qualities possessed by Afghans across the country and that will inspire any young athletes around the globe. To compete with the world’s best in Cricket; this is necessary and paramount for Afghanistan Cricket to search and maintain a large pool of young players with all the requisite ingredients which can be developed for future Cricket endeavors and representing the country with excellence globally”.

For the first time in Asian Cricket, Etisalat Afghanistan and ACB will be providing salaries and benefits to U-19 and ‘A’ team players. Two state of the art Cricket Academies will also be constructed in Nangarhar and Kabul for providing training facilities to national and domestic cricket teams.
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