Indian cricketer Niranjana Nagarajan (center) celebrates the dismissal of West Indies’ Deandra Dottin during the opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup cricket in Mumbai, Maharashtra on Thursday. (AP Photo)

(CNSNews.com) – The State Department is spending $450,000 to teach Afghan women to play cricket in a leadership exchange with female cricket players from Pakistan and India.

“Cricket is increasingly popular among Afghan women, but opportunities to participate in the sport are still rare. Women who play sports are powerful symbols of moderation, equality and progress,” the grant said. “Their participation in sports in public fora is a powerful visual that counters negative narratives about the role that women should play in Afghan society.”

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan invited eligible organizations to submit proposals for the development, coordination, and implementation of a regional sports leadership exchange for female cricket players from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

About 15 participants from each of the three countries (consisting of players, coaches, staff, and chaperones as necessary) will take part in a week-long leadership and cricket skill-building exchange programs in each of the three countries.

“For each exchange week, the implementing partner will work closely with the hosting country to organize a program that includes professional cricket training, leadership and team-building activities, cultural excursions to familiarize guests with the host country, and friendly matches,” the grant said.

Female Pakistani cricket players at Asian Games (AP Photo)

“On an individual level, participating in sports helps women feel empowered and teaches them the value of teamwork. It also gives them increased confidence, strength, and strategic thinking abilities they can use in all aspects of their lives,” it said.

Although India and Pakistan have “well-developed professional women’s cricket programs,” the exchange could greatly benefit Afghanistan as it develops its own cricket programs for women.

“A regional women’s cricket exchange between women cricket players from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India will build the skills of Afghan women as cricket players, demonstrate their role as equal members in Afghan society, increase Afghanistan’s capacity to provide opportunities for women to play cricket at the national and regional levels, and foster positive relationships between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India through sports,” the grant said.

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