ICC, BCCI, ECB, and CA to Fund Initiative for Afghan Women Cricketers: Report

Synopsis

The ICC, supported by BCCI, ECB, and CA, is establishing a fund to assist exiled Afghan women cricketers through coaching and mentorship, as confirmed by reports. This initiative aims to help these athletes gain access to cricket and education despite the challenges posed by the Taliban's restrictions on women's sports.

Key Takeaways

ICC plans to support Afghan women cricketers.
Funding from BCCI, ECB, and CA.
No financial input from the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
Coaching and mentorship for displaced cricketers.
Support extends to all displaced Afghan women cricketers.

Mumbai, April 16 (NationPress) The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to support the displaced female cricketers from Afghanistan through financial contributions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), according to a report released on Wednesday.

This initiative aims to assist Afghanistan's exiled women cricketers by providing coaching and mentorship, which will be organized through a dedicated fund that is entirely financed by the ICC and the three aforementioned boards.

An ICC representative confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the fund will not include any financial input from the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The ACB will continue to receive its full allocation from the ICC.

The ICC has recently announced its plans to support women cricketers who are exiled from Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover, which prohibited female participation in sports and led to the disbandment of women's teams.

“Last year, the idea of reserving funds for women’s cricket from the ACB's share of the ICC's revenue was considered, but that proposal did not materialize. The ACB is the only Full Member board without a women's team, unable to form one due to severe restrictions on women's rights since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021,” the report stated.

Additionally, the ICC's plan to engage with Afghanistan's female cricketers does not equate to official recognition, nor does it pave the way for the Afghanistan team to field a women's squad, as such a team requires ratification from the ACB. Instead, the ICC aims to collaborate with Afghanistan's female cricketers to offer them access to the game and funding for further education.

“The ICC does not select a team for Afghanistan. Our commitment lies in addressing the complexities of this issue and finding a solution within the ICC's legal and constitutional framework,” the spokesperson stated in the report.

The report further clarified that the ICC's initiative will extend beyond the 19 Afghan cricketers currently residing in Australia; it aims to include all displaced Afghan women cricketers, irrespective of their location.

To date, the ICC has not specified what opportunities will be available to the Afghan women cricketers in exile following their coaching and mentorship.