Ajmal's academy shut down after terror threats

Suspended off-spinners says not ready to take a risk with the security of youngsters

KARACHI: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal's international cricket academy in Faisalabad was forced to shut down after it was subjected to terror threats, according to Press Trust of India.

The 37-year-old suspended bowler said that he met the deputy commissioner of Faisalabad and the vice-chancellor of Faisalabad Agricultural University, who is also the owner of the land on which the academy has been built, who advised him to temporarily cease the on-going training in the academy.

"I was told that the Punjab government has sent advice to close down the academy temporarily because threats have been received against the academy that it may be attacked," said Ajmal.

"The administration had apprehensions and security concerns and said it should be closed down until proper security arrangements made to run it."

He added that risking people's lives who visit the academy was not right.

"I didn't want to take a risk with these youngsters and right now the government is helping us prepare a comprehensive security plan for the academy including issuance of computerised identity cards for all the participants, coaches and workers at the academy," he said.

"It is disappointing to close down the academy for the time being in such conditions, but it is a sensible move right now."

 

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