Without Proper Coaching, Spending on Competitions Is Futile, Says Irfanuddin Babu
BY: Ghani-ur-Rehman
PESHAWAR: Renowned and qualified cricket coach of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Irfanuddin Babu, has said that the future of women’s cricket in the province is bright and promising, provided that practical and consistent steps are taken in the right direction. He emphasized that with proper planning, sustained training, and qualified coaching, it is not difficult for national-level women cricketers to emerge from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He expressed these views while talking to the media during an ongoing match between women’s teams at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Peshawar ground. On the occasion, Irfanuddin Babu also delivered informative lectures and practical guidance to the women cricketers on the fundamentals of cricket, modern requirements of the game, and techniques related to batting, bowling, and fielding.
Irfanuddin Babu stated that if women players in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are provided with proper coaching, regular opportunities, and a consistent playing environment, the day is not far when players like Janta Jalil and Sana Mir will emerge from the province and bring pride to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan.
Criticizing short-term and symbolic activities for the promotion of women’s cricket, he said that players are not developed through sports festivals and exhibition events alone. “Talent is nurtured through long-term planning, continuous hard work, and regular training,” he added. He stressed the need to appoint qualified and trained coaches in educational institutions and sports academies to identify and polish talent at the grassroots level.
He expressed regret that most educational institutions in the province lack qualified coaches for cricket and other sports, resulting in the wastage of potential talent. Referring to recent matches, he noted that many female players are not fully aware of the basic rules and techniques of cricket, which clearly reflects the absence of proper coaching.
Irfanuddin Babu further said that although a significant amount of money is being spent on organizing competitions, the benefits remain minimal due to poor coaching standards. “Without quality coaching, such expenditures neither benefit the players nor the game and amount to a waste of resources,” he remarked.
He urged the government and private sector institutions to make coaching the foundation of women’s cricket development and adopt permanent, structured planning instead of temporary measures, if women’s cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is to truly progress.
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