Ex-LCCA president for restoring international sports in the country

He said that the PM's concerns on sports arenas were authentic that gave a deserted look in international absence.

LAHORE: Former President of the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Khawaja Nadeem Ahmed has said that there was a dire need to restore international sports activities in Pakistan to enhance the country's image.

Ahmed acknowledged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's concerns about foreign teams not visiting Pakistan due to security threats.

"Take the example of cricket, which is a game of the masses and unites the people of Pakistan but unfortunately since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus, no cricket team has visited Pakistan. It is unfortunate for our cricket," he said while commenting on the Prime Minister's address to the nation.

He said the Prime Minister's concerns on sports arenas were authentic since absence of international teams gave the sports scene in the country a deserted look.

"All regional cricket bodies stand united to support the Prime Minister to bring back international cricket to Pakistan, and we are ready to extend all out cooperation to the Pakistan Cricket Board in this regard", he added.

Ahmed said that the Prime Minister took great interest in sports and his efforts, particularly for cricket, were known to everyone.

“By pointing out that foreign teams are not visiting Pakistan, the Prime Minister has addressed a very important issue which was not given consideration in the past," he added.

The former LCCA Chief said that he had close interactions with former Pakistan cricket captains and a number of former test stars, with whose cooperation he could ensure the visit of a World XI that comprised of former and current test players if PCB backed the move.

"If such a high profile cricket team visits Pakistan in due time, I am optimistic that it is going help in motivating cricket playing countries to send their teams to Pakistan that has been forced to play its home series at neutral venues to fulfill its international cricket obligations," he said.