“I didn’t want to take a risk with these youngsters and right now the government is helping us prepare a comprehensive security plan”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has been forced to close his cricket academy on a temporary basis after receiving threats from Islamic militants.
Ajmal confirmed that he would be shutting down his academy after meeting with the deputy commissioner of Faisalabad and the vice chancellor of Faisalabad Agriculture University, which is where his 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 told PTI. “The administration had apprehensions and security concerns and said it should be closed down until proper security arrangements [are] made to run it.”
Ajmal revealed that there are approximately 198 boys and girls attending his academy at the moment. In addition to that, there are many disabled cricketers training at the academy as well since they have dreams of representing their country. Ajmal also stated that there are about 80 more students who attend less frequently.
“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.”