LAHORE: In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to bear the educational expenses of young cricketers alongside their training.
Sources confirmed that the initiative will cater to children from the Under-15 to Under-19 age categories, ensuring that players enrolled in academies will receive both cricket coaching and formal education throughout the year.
The programme will see selected youngsters living full-time in PCB academies, with their academic fees and school or college admissions financed entirely by the board. The decision aims to provide a balanced development pathway, combining cricketing excellence with continued education for aspiring players.
Under the plan, four key academies have been designated in different cities. Each academy will host specific age groups and will also cover the costs of their schooling.
The Sialkot academy has been dedicated to Under-15 players and will operate year-round. Faisalabad’s academy will focus on the Under-17 category, while Multan will host the Under-19 group.
Selection for all three centres will be based strictly on performances in regional cricket tournaments, ensuring a merit-based entry system.
Alongside their cricket training, students at these academies will have their school and college admissions, as well as annual tuition, covered by the PCB. This includes all related educational expenses, marking the first time the board has extended such comprehensive financial support for both sport and education.
According to sources, the Karachi academy has been earmarked for a different role. It will serve as the base for Pakistan’s women cricketers, the Shaheens squad, and the A teams, accommodating their training and development programmes throughout the season.
