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June 17, 2022
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has partnered with Nujum Sports, a UK-based non-profit that empowers and supports a community of Muslim athletes, to help create a more inclusive environment for Muslim cricketers.
Formed in 2020, Nujum Sports offers training workshops and educational services to clubs, local and national organizations and national sporting bodies to improve opportunities for Muslim players and promote a culture of acceptance. With a pledge to commit to building an environment and culture that actively supports Muslim Athletes at all levels throughout the industry, Nujum Sports aims to contribute to the equality and diversity landscape. The non-profit has helped advise the ECB over the last year, providing guidance and direction on the specific support required for Muslim cricketers today.
“Cricket deserves to be loved and played by everyone. Equity, diversity and inclusion aren’t checklists we need to tick off but rather tools to help us in today’s ever-demanding world,” said Founder and CEO, Ebadur Rahman.
“Cricket changes the lives of everyone associated with it, we are proud to be working with the ECB in making this game not only loved by our communities but a gateway for our communities to excel. Muslim athletes throughout the country need to see leadership and support. With the ECB we aim to deliver this and more.”
The body’s decision to ramp up its diversity and inclusion comes following the scrutiny of the ECB for its lack of action when England cricketer, Azeem Rafiq spoke about the racism he experienced whilst at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS), who Rafiq went to with his evidence and testimony, published a report earlier this year, which warned that racism in cricket is “deep-seated” and that public money should be withheld from the sport unless it can “clean up its act”.
ECB’s Chief Executive, Tom Harrison, described the racism allegations made by Rafiq and other players as an “earthquake” in cricket. In November 2021, the body followed the controversy with a 12-point plan to tackle discrimination. The plan includes a review of dressing-room culture, diversity training, a governance review and more.
This new partnership is aimed at helping ensure the needs of Muslim players are focused on from grassroots to elite levels. England cricketer and ambassador for Nujum Sports, Moeen Ali, hopes for the partnership to contribute toward Muslim athletes’ needs within the sport.
“Throughout my time in this beautiful sport I have witnessed the highs and lows, without my faith it would have been a great struggle. It’s time we recognize the value of allowing Muslim cricketers to be who they are and allow them to come together in this family with a feeling of trust and confidence,” said Ali.
Nujum Sports launched the Muslim Athlete Charter last year and has delivered improvements to training, education and practical guidance for Muslim athletes across a range of sports. The Charter creates a framework to challenge organizations to make progress on recognizing and providing support for Muslim athletes, especially during Ramadan. Charter organizations set out the baseline they are starting from, set targets with timeframes to improve their provision of services and care, and lay out what steps they will take to achieve their goals. Organizations that have signed up to the Charter include, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, the Welsh Football Association and Middlesex County Cricket Club.
Source: SkySports
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