What's happened
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a support fund for displaced Afghan women cricketers, collaborating with cricket boards from Australia, India, and England. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance and training opportunities for these athletes who have relocated due to Taliban restrictions on women's sports.
What's behind the headline?
Overview
The ICC's establishment of a support fund for Afghan women cricketers marks a significant step towards inclusivity in sports, especially in regions where women's rights are severely restricted.
Key Points
- Financial Assistance: The fund aims to provide direct monetary support to help these athletes sustain their careers.
- Training Programs: Alongside financial aid, the initiative includes advanced coaching and mentorship, crucial for the development of these players.
- International Collaboration: The partnership with cricket boards from Australia, India, and England highlights a collective commitment to women's sports and human rights.
Implications
This initiative not only aids the athletes but also reinforces cricket's role as a unifying force across borders. It sends a strong message about the importance of supporting women's rights in sports, particularly in countries where such rights are under threat. The ICC's actions may influence other sports organizations to adopt similar measures, fostering a broader culture of inclusivity and support for female athletes globally.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, ICC chairman Jay Shah emphasized the organization's commitment to inclusivity, stating, "The ICC believes this [support fund] will not only help preserve the sporting careers of Afghan women cricketers but also reinforce the sport's role as a unifying force that transcends borders and adversity." Meanwhile, The Japan Times reported that the ICC will establish a dedicated fund to provide direct monetary assistance, although specific financial details were not disclosed. This aligns with the sentiments expressed by Firooza Amiri, a former Afghan cricketer, who noted that her team represents millions of women in Afghanistan denied their rights. The Independent highlighted that the initiative follows the Afghanistan men's team's success in the Twenty20 World Cup, prompting the women's team to seek support from the ICC again. This context underscores the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Afghanistan and the critical role of international sports organizations in advocating for these athletes.
How we got here
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, many female cricketers have fled to Australia, seeking safety and the chance to continue their sports careers. The ICC's new initiative follows ongoing requests from these athletes for support.
Go deeper
- What specific support will the fund provide?
- How have Afghan women cricketers been affected by the Taliban?
- What are the implications for women's sports globally?
Common question
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What is the ICC's support fund for Afghan women cricketers?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched a vital support fund aimed at helping displaced Afghan women cricketers. This initiative not only provides financial assistance but also training opportunities for these athletes who have faced significant challenges since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Below, we explore the details of this support fund and its broader implications for women's rights in Afghanistan.
More on these topics
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The International Cricket Council is the world governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa.
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
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Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement and military organization in Afghanistan currently waging war within that country.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by