Pakistan: Islamabad CA demands full membership of PCB (23 Aug 1998)

23 August 1998

Islamabad CA demands full membership of PCB

By Our Sports Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22: Islamabad Cricket Association has urged the PCB for giving it full membership which is pending for a long time.

Talking to Dawn here on Saturday, the ICA Secretary, Mr. Zahid Mahboob, stated that we are playing in Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade I cricket and Islamabad has a strong case for the full-membership of the PCB, while the board recently gave full-membership to D.G. Khan playing in the grade II.

The ICA Secretary further said Islamabad has better record in cricket and its infrastructure is also far superior to that of DG Khan. It amounts to descrimination and we will not stand and watch the board members use discritionary powers. He pointed out that the Pakistan Sports Board (PCB) has already asked the PCB for awarding the full membership to ICA as a province. However, since the PCB's constitution is not based on provincial quota it requires necessary amendments to award full membership to Islamabad.

We are awaiting for a response as the PCB has constituted a committee for necessary amendments in its constitution, which will be sent to the PSB Legal Advisor and PSB before its final approval.

It may be mentioned here that the issue of full membership of PCB is also of varied nature. If Islamabad is to be affiliated as a city, it requires 65 registered cricket clubs under its wing. It cannot be registered as a division because of Pakistan's constitution.

However, the Pakistan Sports Board, the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation, the Pakistan Tennis Federation treat Islamabad as a province. While Islamabad Women Hockey Association has got affiliation as a division with Pakistan Hockey Federation. Interestingly, PHF has denied affiliation to Islamabad Hockey Association (for men) the same status of affiliation for more than two years, although all necessary documentation has been completed.

The Secretary stated the ICA has approached the PCB for seeking financial assistance for construction of cricket stadium at Islamabad. "We had sent a formal application to the PCB, which also discussed in the general council meeting, and a committee was also formed which will visit the site," he revealed.

"We are the only association in the country which hasacquired its own land on lease for a period 99 years. After levelling the field we have also prepared the wicket and will fence it soon," the secretary said.

It may be added here that Islamabad has no proper cricket fields. The ones where trophy matches are held are sub-standard. "This time we have prepared the Redco ground and all the trophy matches will be played there," he stated.

Selection of Islamabad cricket teams for the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and Under-19 Championship will be made during September.

The selection committee headed Col. (Rtd) Noushad Ali has decided to select some 35 probables on the basis of previous performances. Two teams will be formed for a series of matches and those performing well will be selected for the team.

"Since the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy starts earlier, the selection of main team is the priority at the moment." the secretary said. After the completion of local tournaments, some 30 Under-19 will be retained for final selection.

Some of the ICA executive members are divided over playing guest players during the forthcoming season commencing on Oct 3.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)