Since the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) founded the Afghanistan Cricket Board in 1995, the Afghanistan Cricket Team has made significant strides in regional and international competitions, sparking a renewed interest in the game throughout the country. In Wardak Province, youth established the Maydan Wardak Cricket Association (MWCA) in 2007, which now consists of six teams and over 60 members, including three players from the national team. The MWCA won the Kunduz Cup tournament in 2007 and placed fifth at the 2009 Cricket Tournament. The MWCA organizes cricket tournaments throughout the year at the school, club, district, and zone level; however, they do not have sufficient equipment to continue these efforts and previous requests for assistance went unanswered. In cooperation with the Department of Information, Culture and Youth and the Olympic Director, USAID’s Local Governance and Community Development Project provided the MWCA with 60 cricket kits including bats, batting pads, helmets, training shirts, caps, wicket sets, kit bags, and other cricket equipment. The kits were handed over at a ceremony on January 6, which was attended by provincial GIRoA representatives. Through this activity, GIRoA is using service delivery to support a grassroots organization and contributing to the development of cricket, and national pride, in Wardak.

USAID/Afghanistan Program Highlights: 1/15/2011-1/31/2011