KARACHI : Turkey’s state-run aid agency launched on Friday a cricket training facility for girls in Karachi.

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) set up the cricket training nets for girls at the SMB Fatima Jinnah State School to promote the sport among girls.

Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Sarfaraz Ahmed, TIKA’s Karachi coordinator Ibrahim Katirci and Shehzad Roy, head of Zindagi Trust, which adopted the said school, inaugurated the training facility.

Addressing the ceremony, Ahmed appreciated the initiative saying it would provide better training opportunities for women cricketers. “The young people of Pakistan have a huge talent. The only thing we require is to explore that.”

Katirci, for his part, said that TIKA established the facility for girls to promote cricket which is a national passion in the country. “This is a gift from Turkish people to the youth of Pakistan.”

Roy said Zindagi Trust is transforming the lives of thousands of children by providing them better education opportunities and environment.

“With the help of TIKA and the people of Turkey, we are taking one step forward providing new opportunities for the female cricketers,” he added.

TIKA also provided professional cricket kits and gadgets to the entire cricket team.

Moreover, in order to promote digital literacy among students, the aid agency also donated electronic equipment to the SMB Fatima Jinnah School and the Khatoon-e-Pakistan School in the port city.