DUBAI // Afghanistan's remarkable emergence as a force in world cricket has been given a boost after it announced a new sponsorship deal with Etisalat. The UAE-based telecommunications company has extended its existing deal with the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) until 2013 in an agreement worth Dh545,470 (US$148,500). The ACF marketing manager, Bashir Stanikzai, said: "This is incredible support for cricket in Afghanistan. Etisalat Afghanistan will be the main sponsor of the national team and will be sponsoring development of the proposed National Cricket Academy in Kabul, among other things including an English-language website and magazine."
Saeed al Hamli, the chief executive of Etisalat Afghanistan, said: "Our aim is to open up more opportunities and to actively help Afghans reach their goals. We always deliver what we say we will." Cricket has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the troubled nation. The sport first took hold in the 1980s among Afghan refugees who had been displaced to Pakistan, following the Soviet invasion. The cricket federation was first established in 2001, and the war-torn nation has since become one of the top sides in Asia outside of the test-playing elite of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The country's first turf cricket ground was recently inaugurated in the capital, Kabul. Thanks to funding by Etisalat and the Asian Cricket Council, the ACF also has camcorders, laptop computers with coaching software and a bowling machine to aid the development of their cricketers. ACF officials hope Etisalat's increased involvement will aid their bid to qualify one day for cricket's top competitions.
"We are trying so hard to reach the ultimate in the cricket world, which is to play at the World Cup and the Asia Cup. I am sure we will achieve this one day, inshallah," said Taj Malik Khan, the general secretary of the ACF and the national team's coach. Etisalat also has a broad sport sponsorship portfolio at home. The company has been the official sponsor of the Etisalat Football League - the UAE's top division - for the past three years.
It also supported the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007, as well as the ongoing GCC Swimming Championships being staged at the capital's Al Jazira Sports Club. pradley@thenational.ae
