Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has once again brought up the political discussion on Kashmir. Indian cricketers had slammed him in the past for his controversial statements on Kashmir.
Afridi wants to set up an academy in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to a report in The Nation, Afridi said that he wants to be a part of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL). KPL is a T20 league having credentials from Pakistan Cricket Board.
“I will try my best to do as much as I can for KPL. My heart wants me to play with every KPL franchise. The condition I have put on myself for playing in KPL is that a cricket academy will be set up in Kashmir,” he said.
“I request everyone to fully support KPL. Apart from sports, I will also work in Kashmir in terms of the health sector. If matches are held inside Kashmir, it will benefit from it. It is an honor for me to be a brand ambassador of the league. I will bring Kashmiri kids to cricket and will set up a cricket academy there. My foundation will support good talent,” he added.
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Afridi once again targetted India in his speech and provoked people by saying India is oppressing the citizens of Kashmir. “India has crossed all levels of oppression in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). We should raise our voice if we see injustice happening anywhere in the world. The time will surely come when Kashmiris will be free. It is the responsibility of the rulers to raise their voice again and again for the rights of Kashmiris.”
KPL Chairman Arif Malik said, “Thousands of youngsters will take part in the trials. Through KPL, young players will play in the domestic team and then in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Fundraising will also be held during KPL,” he said.
“KPL aims to align the societal development with the cricketing activity creating a platform which would positively encompass the people and land of Kashmir. KPL signed MOU with the Shahid Afridi foundation with the aim of transforming the lives of unprivileged communities.
We already have Afridi on board as our brand ambassador for the League and he already has a personal association and empathy for Kashmir and its people,” he added.
(With The Nation Inputs)
