https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, May 15 (Alliance News): The Australian High Commission, in partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Serena Hotels, organised the Islamabad round of the AHC–PCB Girls’ Cricket Cup, marking a decade of collaboration aimed at promoting girls’ cricket and women’s empowerment in Pakistan through sports.
The tournament brought together students from four educational institutions in Islamabad and underscored the growing commitment of Pakistan and Australia to encouraging female participation in cricket at the grassroots level.
The event highlighted how sports can serve as a powerful platform for confidence-building, leadership development and social inclusion among young girls.
Participating teams included Islamabad Model College for Girls Punjgran, Islamabad Model School for Girls F-6/1, Islamabad Model School for Girls I-9/1 and SOS Children’s Village H-11.
The players demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship during the matches, reflecting the increasing popularity of women’s cricket among young students in Pakistan.
The initiative, launched in Islamabad in 2016, was designed to provide girls from underprivileged and community-based educational institutions with access to structured cricket opportunities, coaching and mentorship.
Over the past ten years, the programme has expanded to Lahore and Karachi, helping broaden opportunities for aspiring female cricketers across the country.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Timothy Kane, congratulated the participating teams and praised the role of cricket in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Australia.
He said cricket remained a strong cultural and sporting link between the two nations while also serving as an effective tool for empowering young girls by building confidence, discipline and teamwork skills.
He noted that the Girls’ Cricket Cup reflected the deepening cricket partnership between Pakistan and Australia at both grassroots and professional levels.
The High Commissioner also referred to the upcoming visit of Australia’s One Day International men’s cricket team to Pakistan later this month and said the tournament demonstrated the broad scope of sporting cooperation between the two countries.
Officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board appreciated the continued partnership with the Australian High Commission and Serena Hotels, describing such collaborations as vital for the long-term growth of women’s cricket in Pakistan.
PCB representatives said women’s cricket in Pakistan had made steady progress in recent years due to increased investment in grassroots initiatives, school-level engagement and professional training opportunities for young female athletes.
They stressed that sustained institutional support was essential to identify and nurture emerging talent across the country.
Ahead of the tournament, participating players attended professional coaching sessions conducted by PCB coaches to enhance their technical skills, fitness and teamwork.
Organisers said the training camps were designed not only to improve cricket performance but also to cultivate leadership qualities and self-confidence among the participants.
Serena Hotels, a long-standing partner of the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting youth development and women’s participation in sports.
Representatives of the organisation said sports activities played an important role in encouraging social inclusion, healthy lifestyles and positive engagement among young people.
The event formed part of Australia’s broader efforts to promote gender equality and inclusion through sports diplomacy and community engagement programmes in Pakistan.
Organisers said cricket, as a shared passion of both nations, provided a meaningful platform for strengthening people-to-people connections while creating opportunities for young girls to excel in sports.
The Islamabad round concluded with competitive matches, interactive activities and appreciation for all participating teams.
Officials from the partner organisations expressed confidence that the initiative would continue to inspire more girls across Pakistan to pursue cricket and other sports with determination and confidence.
They said the decade-long partnership had already contributed significantly to expanding opportunities for girls in sports and would continue to support efforts aimed at empowering young women through education, leadership and athletic development.
