Searching for shining stars on the horizon of cricket as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has launched a major talent hunt programme for schools across the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
The inaugural ceremony of the program was held at Crescent Model High School in Lahore.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also unveiled the tournament trophy and he also was introduced to the players of Crescent Model Higher Secondary and Grammar School. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi gave PCB kit bags to the teams.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the talent hunt program was started simultaneously in all the provinces across the country.
He said the aim of starting the program is to search for new cricket stars from the youth. Students will get the opportunity to make a career in professional cricket along with education and all schools will bring out the best talent.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi said that I studied at Crescent Model High School. I have many memories associated with this school. We used to spend many hours on this ground.
Mohsin Naqvi expressed hope that, “New players from the tournament will join the national team and bring glory to the country.”
Chairman PCB also distributed kits among the players from two schools and the Tournament’s trophy was also unveiled during the ceremony.
Member PCB Board of Governors Anwar Ghani, Managing Trustees Crescent Model Higher Secondary School Mian Saleem Altaf, Principal Rabia Najam, President LCCA Khawaja Nadeem, Secretary and DG Sports Punjab were also present during the ceremony.
A total of seven matches got underway on the opening day of the tournament in Lahore – where 31 schools are participating – including the fixture between CMHS School and Crescent Grammar School, where the inauguration ceremony took place.
Except for Lahore and Karachi, the matches in all other districts will begin on Friday, 26 September.
The school teams have been assembled after an extensive scrutiny and trials process after which training camps were also held in each school with the assistance of PCB’s regional and district coaches.
The PCB Talent Hunt Programme for Schools comprises of two tournaments – a 40-over tournament followed by two-day matches weekend school league.
The PCB will also incentivise the winning school in each of the tournaments and also fast track the top performing students into the U15, U17 and U19 regional teams and academies.
Chairman PCB, Mohsin Naqvi:
“The PCB is delighted to inaugurate and practically set in motion the Talent Hunt Programme for schools across all the provinces in Pakistan. Our goal is to unearth new cricket stars from the youth. I hope that we can find raw talent from this initiative who can go onto represent Pakistan in the future.
“It is a vital step towards expanding our net for talent scouting and fast tracking of young talent not just through the usual structure but also from educational institutes across Pakistan.
“I’m happy that we are beginning this tournament from my own alma mater. This programme under the umbrella of the PCB will create a superb sporting culture and environment among students and crucially they will get the opportunity to carve a professional cricket career along with their studies.”
