Report by Muhammad Amir Siddique, Journalist, Vienna, Austria
The opening ceremony of the T20 Cricket 2024 by the Austrian Cricket Association was held on May 1 at 12:30 pm at the Seabarn Cricket Ground. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan, Aftab Ahmad Khokhar, as well as ambassadors from various countries including Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the Consul of the Embassy of India. The ceremony witnessed a large turnout from the Pakistani and international communities, along with the presence of cricket teams from different countries.
Ambassadors’ Support and Encouragement
Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokhar and the other ambassadors present at the ceremony showed their support and encouragement for the players. They personally visited the ground and met with the players. Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokhar, in his special statement, expressed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting cricket in Austria and strengthening the existing friendly relations between the two countries. He emphasized the need for the Austrian government, sports organizations, and journalists’ organizations to play their part in restoring the full dignity of cricket in Austria.
Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokhar highlighted that Pakistan is a peaceful country when it comes to sports and that players are the ambassadors of peace and the pride of the nation. He also acknowledged the immense talent among Pakistanis in cricket sports in Asia.
The ambassadors of different countries expressed their support for the Austrian Cricket Association and assured that the doors of their embassies are always open for the players. Their presence at the opening ceremony further emphasized the international community’s interest in promoting cricket in Austria.
National Team of Austria
During the opening ceremony, the ambassadors were formally informed about the national team of Austria. The national cricket team of Austria represents the Republic of Austria in international cricket. The team is organized by the Austrian Cricket Association, which became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1992 and a full member in 2017.
The Austrian cricket team made its international debut in 1992 and has since regularly participated in European Cricket Council tournaments. They have primarily competed in the lower divisions and engaged in bilateral series against other European countries.
Closing Remarks
At the end of the opening ceremony, the Austrian Cricket Association expressed its gratitude to all the guests for their participation in the program. The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in Austrian cricket, with the support of ambassadors and the international community. It is a significant step towards promoting the sport and strengthening the bonds between nations through the spirit of cricket.
