KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah formally launched Sindh Premier League (SPL) by playing on bowling of national cricketer Sarfraz Ahmed. He said that new cricket league was aimed at empowering youth of Sindh by providing them with an opportunity to showcase their cricketing skills. It was officially launched at grand ceremony held at Chief Minister House. Chief Guest of event was Murad Ali Shah. Syed Murad Ali Shah highlighted significance of SPL for province’s youth and economic development. He stated, “Sindh Premier League is not just about sports, but also about promoting talent and potential of our youth, providing them with opportunities to excel and showcasing best of what Sindh has to offer. It is also platform for economic development, job creation and tourism promotion in our province.”

 Launch ceremony was attended by dignitaries from various walks of life, including Minister Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister Labour Saeed Ghani, Advisor Law Murtaza Murtaza Wahab and former Captain of Pakistan Cricket team Sarfraz Ahmed and various others. Sharjeel Memon expressed his full support and assured that Sindh government would fully support and take ownership of league to promote untapped talent of Sindh. SPL provides platform for young cricketers in Sindh to showcase their talent and hone their skills, with aim of producing world-class cricketers from province. League will consist of six teams: Benazirabad Lals, Hyderabad Bahadurs, Karachi Ghazis, Larkana Challengers, Mirpurkhas Tigers and Sukkur Patriots. During ceremony, President SPL Arif Malik highlighted that SPL has dedicated Player Development Programme, specifically focused on developing players from Interior Sindh. He shared that Sindh Premier League will be broadcasted in 52 countries and create 10,000 jobs in coming years.

CM Advisor on Law Murtaza Wahab reiterated commitment of government towards encouraging positive initiatives like SPL in uplifting youth of Sindh through such sporting events that will go global and attract millions of eyeballs. Brand ambassador of SPL Shahid Afridi expressed his full support for league and its mission. “I am honoured to be brand ambassador of Sindh Premier League, which is very close to my heart. I believe that SPL has potential to produce world-class cricketers from Sindh and I look forward to supporting league in achieving its goals.”

Ambassador Sindh Premier League UK and Europe Faisal Saleem Khan presented roadmap of player development programme of SPL which will take cricketers from interior Sindh to international cricket academies in England. He shared that we already have signed MOUs with top-notch cricket academies of Europe and England. He wished for speedy recovery of Arbab Lutfullah, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Sports Department, Sindh who could not attend ceremony due to Covid infection and was represented here by Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs. League has received support from government of Sindh and business community.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 22 2023

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