Due to threats from extremists :
Saeed Ajmal forced to shut Cricket Academy
Saeed Ajmal's cricket academy, which trained 198 boys and girls, was
forced to shut after there were terror threats against it.
Karachi: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been forced to close
his international cricket academy in his hometown Faisalabad after it
received threats from extremist elements. Ajmal confirmed to PTI he had
closed down his academy temporarily after he met with the deputy
commissioner of Faisalabad and the vice chancellor of Faisalabad
Agriculture University on whose land the academy is located."
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," Ajmal, who could not make the final
cut in the 15-man Pakistan squad for the upcoming World Cup because of
his questionable 'doosra' that is under ICC review, said on Wednesday."
The administration had apprehensions and security concerns and said
it should be closed down until proper security arrangements made to run
it," the off-spinner added.
The government has issued warnings about possible terrorist threats
to educational institutions in the country after the terrorist attack on
the Army Public School in Peshawar on December 16 in which around 132
schoolchildren were killed in cold blood by attacking militants.Ajmal
said that presently they were around 198 boys and girls and even
disabled cricketers attending the academy regularly while they were
another 80 who came on and off for coaching clashes."
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," he added. Ajmal
said the academy represented a big dream for him as he has already spent
around 30 million rupees on it and provides free coaching to the
youngsters.
The bowler has also been embroiled in a dispute with the University
over the lease period of the land on which he has built the
international standard academy but said it was close to being resolved
after he met with the Punjab government officials.Since the Army Public
School tragedy the government in all four provinces has been telling
private institutions to first set up their own security cover before
reopening their institutions after the extended winter vacations.
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