On November 24, 2010, Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry laid foundation stones at the National Cricket Stadium in Kabul. The ceremony inaugurated USAID-funded renovations to bring the stadium up to international standards. USAID’s Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) project will provide 290 steel reinforcement bars to support the overall rehabilitation of the venue by USAID’s Community Development Project–Kabul (CDP-K). In his remarks, Ambassador Eikenberry expressed appreciation for LGCD and CDP-K’s successful collaboration, which also includes the rehabilitation of the Women’s Park in Kabul and the ongoing renovation of sports facilities at Kabul University. The National Cricket Stadium initiative intends to promote stability through public works and the sport of cricket. Cricket became a source of pride for Afghanistan when the national team earned a spot in Division One of the International Cricket Council last year. The stadium is expected to be completed in July 2011, seat 6,000 people and host domestic and international games.