Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari today emphasized the importance of developing cricket infrastructure and training facilities in Sindh to better support and promote local cricket talent. He highlighted the need for joint ventures to build modern stadiums and provide advanced coaching opportunities for the youth during a meeting with the Sindh Premier League (SPL) delegation at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the discussion with the SPL delegation, led by Chairman Malik Aslam, included topics such as the current state and potential growth of cricket in Sindh. Attendees at the meeting included Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs of Sindh, Mr. Jalaluddin Mahar, Vice Chairman SPL, Major General (r) Zahid Mehmood, President SPL, Mr. Arif Malik, and CEO SPL, Chaudhary Shahzad Akhtar, among other senior officials.

President Zardari expressed that the SPL serves as a significant platform for showcasing and nurturing cricket talent in Sindh. He stressed the importance of creating a long-term strategy to boost the sport throughout the province, noting that enhancing sports, particularly cricket, would not only increase sports tourism but also stimulate economic activity.

The SPL delegation outlined their contributions to developing Sindh’s cricket scene, including plans to establish a high-performance center in Karachi to train young players, especially from rural and underrepresented areas. They also discussed challenges faced by the league.

In response, President Zardari assured the delegation of his full support, promising to request both the Sindh Government and the Pakistan Cricket Board to provide all necessary assistance to improve cricket infrastructure and mentoring in the region, aiming to ensure the success of the SPL.