According to information obtained, efforts are reportedly underway to merge the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) with Afghanistan’s National Olympic Committee, which is currently administered by the Taliban. The committee is presently responsible for overseeing and regulating sporting affairs in the country.
Journalist Aimal Pasarly wrote on his official Facebook page that if the Cricket Board is merged with the Olympic Committee, it could create serious challenges for Afghan cricket. According to him, the International Cricket Council (ICC) requires its Full Member nations to maintain independent cricket governing bodies and does not accept cricket federations that operate under the authority of other organizations.
Pasarly further noted that numerous sports federations function under the umbrella of the National Olympic Committee, with budget allocations distributed through this framework. In contrast, the Afghanistan Cricket Board largely relies on its own financial resources. He argued that the ICC would not permit funds and assistance designated specifically for cricket to be diverted to other sporting sectors.
He warned that such a change could have a negative impact on the future of Afghanistan’s national cricket team and would also be detrimental to young people who view cricket as an important source of recreation, engagement, and opportunity.
Concerns regarding the future and independence of Afghan cricket have been raised on previous occasions as well. However, no official announcement has yet been made regarding the possible merger of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the National Olympic Committee.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
