SWABI, Sept 16: Youngsters should join the modern cricket academies functioning in Swabi district to get vital training required for becoming a world class player.

This was stressed by participants of a function held at the Junaid Khan Cricket Academy, Dagai organised by Swabi Cricket Association.

Officials of Pakistan Cricket Board, president of Abbottabad regional cricket association, president of Fata Olympic Association, former cricketers, members of political parties, cricket lovers, officials of district administration and Junaid Khan participated in the ceremony.

The speakers said the world-class gym in the Junaid Khan Cricket Academy at Dagai, a native town of Junaid Khan, would work as a source of inspiration for the young cricketers and lovers. They noted that though there were various cricket academies in the big cities but the establishment of academies in regions like Swabi was really encouraging sign both for cricketers and lovers of the game.

Mr Aamir Nawab, an official of the PCB, said there was great talent in Pakhtun areas and elsewhere in the country which the Pakistan Cricket Board had been striving to capture by establishing regional cricket academies and providing other facilities to young cricketers. He said the number of cricket academies in the district had reached to three.