Pakistani NGO to help promote cricket in Turkey

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

A Turkish sports federation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Pakistani non-governmental organization to promote the game of cricket in Turkey.

Hasan Ozturk, head of Turkish Developing Sports Branches Federation, and Javed Afridi, chairman of Zalmi Foundation, signed the MoU in a ceremony held at the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad.

Turkish ambassador Mustafa Yurdakul witnessed the signing of the agreement.

According to the MoU, Zalmi Foundation will provide “top of the art coaching facilities” to the Turkish players in Pakistan to pave the way for Turkish team to enter the world class cricket.

Zalmi Foundation, a non-governmental organization work for youth development via sports and education, has a cricket franchise "Peshawar Zalmi," which represents the city of Peshawar in the domestic cricket league.

"We are thankful to Zalmi Foundation and Peshawar Zalmi, Chairman Javed Afridi for this huge step to provide coaching facilities to our players and promote cricket in our country," Ozturk said.

Afridi announced to include two Turkish player in Peshawar Zalmi squad as guest players for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), tournament which will begin from Feb. 13, in the United Arab Emirates.

"This is the beginning of our relations in cricket. I want to see Turkey in the international cricket and we will provide all possible support to Turkish players and their team," Afridi said at the ceremony.

“We will also support Turkey to get full membership of International Cricket Council (ICC)," he added.

Turkish ambassador to Pakistan Mustafa Yurdakul thanked Peshawar Zalmi for its initiative to promote cricket in Turkey and provide coaching facilities to Turkish players.

Yurfakul said his country is ready to help Pakistan in football.

"Turkey have good experience in football and we are ready to share our experience with Pakistan," he added.