Chairman PCB announces a raft of initiatives to promote women’s cricket
LAHORE–November 21, 2014: Ms. Bushra Aitzaz, the chairperson of PCB Women’s Wing, was given a warm farewell by the PCB and its Chairman, Shaharyar M. Khan here today at the National Cricket Academy.
Ms. Bushra Aitzaz had completed her stint of four years as chairperson, PCB Women’s Wing. The salient feature of her tenure was two back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014.
At the farewell function, Ms. Bushra’s contribution in promotion of women’s cricket in the country was acknowledged and appreciated. “Ms. Bushra Aitzaz’s immense contribution in providing leadership in her four-year stint shall be remembered for its salient impact on our women’s cricket. Two back-to-back Asian Games gold medals are a testimony that women’s cricket made tangible progress under her watch,” said Shaharyar Khan.
At the occasion, Chairman PCB announced a raft of initiatives to promote women’s cricket and take it to the next level in global contests by providing it better resources and all sorts of corporate support. He also announced cash awards for Team Pakistan and its support staff for winning the Asian Games gold at Incheon in September 2014(Details below in Transcript of the Chairman’s speech).
The PCB Board of Governors member, former Chairman Najam Sethi in his speech also paid rich tribute to Ms Bushra Aitzaz’s dedication to the cause of women’s cricket and her leadership.
Present in the audience among others were Member PCB Board of Governors Mr Shakil Sheikh, PCB COO Mr Subhan Ahmad, the Board’s upper and middle tier management, women’s Team Pakistan skipper Sana Mir along with her charges and manager Ayesha Ashhar and coach Mohtashim Rashid and prominent lawyer, politician and activist Aitzaz Ahsan, Ms. Bushra’s spouse.
Sana Mir in her speech fondly recounted Ms Bushra’s term in office and how the women team’s development was fast tracked in her tenure. “She shaped careers… and gave women cricketers courage, confidence and visibility”.
In her farewell address, after which she was given a standing ovation by the entire Team Pakistan and its management, Ms. Bushra described her term in office as most satisfactory. “I came here to accomplish a task. Having achieved it, what can be more satisfactory than it being acknowledged by my peers and everyone in the Board”, said she.
At the conclusion, Ms. Bushra was presented with souvenirs by Mr Shaharyar Khan, Mr Najam Sethi and the Team Pakistan.
Transcript of Chairman PCB Shahryar M. Khan’s Speech:
Saying farewell to Ms. Bushra Aitzaz is a sad occasion, for she has indeed done wonders for the promotion and development of women’s cricket. And her work will always be remembered.
Two back-to-back Asian Games gold medals are a testimony that women’s cricket made tangible progress under her watch.
Our focus remains on carrying Bushra and her team’s good work forward.
Let me share with you some of the initiatives that are either already underway or about to be unfolded for the betterment of women’s cricket in Pakistan.
- We have recently acquired the Model Town ground at Lahore as a dedicated facility for women’s cricket. I have only recently sanctioned ground equipment to make it operational.
- Similarly we have just entered into an agreement with LUMS, which would open its ground and excellent training facilities in a great environment to our women cricketers whenever we need them prior to tours etc.
- As we move forward, many more grounds dedicated for women’s cricket will be developed in provincial headquarters as well as in the regions.
- More tours than ever before are being organized for the women’s team; and it is extremely encouraging that we now have an ICC Championship in which our team will regularly feature.
- For the upcoming assignment against Sri Lanka and South Africa in the Middle East, I wish the team best of luck and hope that they bring laurels to the country.
- The PCB is trying to find a full-time dedicated batting coach for the women’s team.
- We are planning to enlarge the selection panel for women’s cricket so that new talent could be unearthed to feed the national team.
- The new central contracts for women’s team will be issued from January 1, 2015 for a period of one year.
- As recognition and incentive, on retaining the Asian Games gold in 2014, on behalf of the Patron PCB and myself, I announce cash awards of Rs.500,000/- apiece for each of the squad members and Rs.300,000/- per official of the women’s squad.
Let me conclude on the note that Ms. Bushra Aitzaz’s immense contribution in providing leadership in her four-year stint shall be remembered for its salient impact on our women’s cricket.
