Australian envoy underscores sports diplomacy’s power to transform lives

Islamabad:Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins on Tuesday highlighted how sports diplomacy strengthens ties between nations and transforms lives.

“Cricket is a powerful force for connection and inclusion. It opens doors for women and girls in Pakistan and Australia, including for those with disabilities, challenging perceptions and breaking barriers,” Mr Hawkins told an award ceremony for a national blind women’s cricket training camp and tournament here.

The event was supported by the Australian High Commission in partnership with the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council and Serena Hotels. Women and girls from across the country participated in it.

Pakistan formed its blind women’s cricket team in 2018 that played its inaugural international T20 match that same year. This year, 50 additional visually impaired women and girls got the opportunity to sharpen their skills and chase their cricketing dreams.

Chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council Syed Sultan Shah, who was also in attendance, praised the initiative. Mr Shah said the players were coached by some of Pakistan’s finest blind cricket mentors, including Abdul Razzaq, Ibrar Shah, Shahida Shaheen and Tahir Mehmood Butt, who had trained world-class athletes.