KABUL (SW): Following a glittering inaugural ceremony, the Shpageeza Cricket Tournament kicked-off in the capital Kabul on Tuesday that would feature six teams from different zones to compete for the title.
National cricket stars can also be seen in action during this T-20 tournament along with emerging stars. The event is also aimed at creating awareness against the crippling disease of polio.
The Afghan Cricket Board and UNICEF launched this 10-day tournament that brings together the country’s prominent cricket players for sport and to raise awareness about polio vaccinations.
Afghanistan’s six leading cricket clubs Band-i-Amir Dragons, Mis Ainak Knights, Amo Sharks, Spin Ghar Tigers, Kabul Eagles and Boost Defenders will take part in the tournament, called “Alokozay Shpageeza”.
Afghanistan is one of only two countries left in the world that are considered polio endemic. The other is Pakistan, and together they form one epidemiological block. This is the smallest-affected geographic area in history. The next six months – the traditional low transmission season – are an opportunity to stop the transmission of polio in 2016.
“This tournament will put a spotlight on the efforts of all Afghans to unite together to eradicate polio. We are proud to work with the Cricket Board on this tournament, and appreciate the efforts of all the players who are working to raise awareness about the importance of getting parents to vaccinate their children against polio,” said Dr. L.N. Balaji, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Afghanistan at the launch event.
Speaking on behalf of the Afghan National Cricket Board, Chairman, Nasimullah Danish, said, “The ACB is committed to helping eradicate polio in Afghanistan so that no Afghan children ever need to worry about this disease ever again.
We strongly encourage all parents to vaccinate their children during each vaccination campaign and we honour and appreciate the hard work performed by the over 50,000 front line health workers who travel to each house in the country to make sure each child under five receives polio vaccine, which is safe and effective and the only way to prevent polio.”
ENDS
