KARACHI: Taking its mission forward to ensure that students from Islamic seminaries are part of the mainstream segments of society, Peshawar Zalmi – which is part of the Pakistan Cricket League franchise -- launched the second installment of its Zalmi Madrasa League (ZML) initiative -- this time with an aim to reach the residents of Quetta in Balochistan.
Featuring nine teams from different madrasas or seminaries in the province, the tournament was inaugurated by Pakistan’s legendary test cricketer, Younus Khan at Quetta’s Iftikhar Stadium on Tuesday. The final is scheduled to take place on December 7.
Khan, in a video message available with Arab News, said that the Peshawar chapter was “a huge success”, even the clerics of the madrassas, according to him, “had played an important role in furthering the initiative in Peshawar”.
“When we met them, they subscribed to the idea. The change which we want is that the students of madaris should come to sports because we know they love sports so much, not only cricket, not only soccer, hokey, or squash but every sport in which Pakistan has earned a name,” he said.
Javed Afridi, Chairman of Peshawar Zalmi and Zalmi Foundation said that madaris have for long borne the brunt of negative publicity. “I know that the real picture is completely different,” Afridi told Arab News.
Inspired by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to “involve the madrasa students into mainstream activities” Afridi said cricket was a great option as “the sport binds us together and runs in our blood”.
“What better way to empower the madaris students than with cricket? We took cricket to madrasas since sports have always been involved in empowering the youth and promoting peace across the region,” he said, adding that they “should not be neglected on any platform and the Zalmi Foundation will ensure that”.
“We are already in talks with the Punjab and Sindh Governments to initiate the league there. ZML is not only a league, but it is a long-term mission that will spread throughout Pakistan and is not only restricted to any particular region. We will also take ZML to Gilgit Baltistan & Kashmir,” he said.
Afridi says two members from team Zalmi -- Sami Afridi Jr and Nabi Gul -- who will play in the Pakistan Super League 4 (PSL4), belong to the tribal region commonly known as FATA. “It brings me joy to see these players making it to the big leagues,” he said, adding that he is already in talks with the Director of Cricketing Affairs, Mohammad Akram to create a roadmap for these players to enter into the mainstreamcricket arena.
Dr Amir Tauseen, an educational consultant to the Balochistan Government for Islamic seminaries, said that sports – even though they have always been loved by madrasa students -- were never organized properly. “There is a lot of talent and this healthy activity of engagement in sports will broaden the vision of students of seminaries,” he told Arab News.
“They have abilities, all they need is an enabling environment to show and prove their talent,” Tauseen said, adding that the province has around 6,000 seminaries, which needs to be mainstreamed through educational reforms and sports.
“Although the seminaries’ administration has never opposed sports, including cricket, there was no encouragement as well. So, this event will make a huge difference,” Tauseen said.
“Zalmi Foundation has a long-term vision, which is not only restricted to cricket but we are also working with the World Council of Religions in conducting workshops for these students to promote inter-faith harmony that will lead to a more tolerant society,” Afridi told.
Afridi opines that these small steps will enable them to respect each other’s views and understand things from a different perspective. “I urge all other institutions to conduct similar activities for our youth in whatever capacity they can.”