KARACHI: Karachi City Cricket Association’s (KCCA) former joint secretary and well known sports organizer Jameel Ahmed has expressed surprise over the PCB’s demand for Rs5 lacs and Rs15 lacs from local organizers of Ramzan T20 cricket tournaments.
He said that PCB’s domestic cricket officials had already destroyed first class system in the country. “They damaged the regional cricket teams and departmental teams. Now they are trying to destroy the T20 cricket,” he added.
Jameel, who has organized two city games as sports officer of the city administration and dozens of other sports festivals, said Pakistan is one of the best cricket teams in T20 cricket and it is due to such T20 tournaments organized by local organizers that talented cricketers hone their skills.
He said that PCB should remember that Karachi is the pioneer of T20 cricket. “T20 cricket has been held here by the name of Nazimabad Super Cup for more than 30 years,” he said.
Jameel, who had a long association with KCCA, said that more than 100 T20 cricket tournaments are organized in the city during Ramzan.
He said that local organizers charge the teams from Rs5000 to Rs50,000. “Only a few commercial organizations hold T20 cricket events with heavy amount as entry fees. But PCB should not treat all in the same manner,” he demanded.
PCB has ordered organizes to pay Rs5 lacs for non-televised tournament and Rs15 lacs for televised tournaments.
“How can they (small organizers) pay such huge amounts,” asked Jameel.
He said that PCB should charge a small, token amount. “Otherwise T20 cricket would be limited and small organizers would stop holding these tournaments,” he warned.
He said that the teams of top departments of the country participate in these events. “Or their players play for different teams during Ramzaan,” he said.
The former KCCA official said that from Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Baldia Town and Maymar to Keamari T20 cricket was organized during Ramadan. “Thus, PCB high officials must reconsider their decision and not treat it like other domestic events,” he added.