ECB partner with Nujum Sports to improve support for Muslim players

After providing guidance over the last 12 months, the two bodies have announced a formal partnership including England men and women, the first-class counties and the recreational game

The England and Wales Cricket Board and Nujum Sports have announced a formal partnership to help improve opportunities and support for Muslim players.

Following a year of working together, the partnership has been firmed up which will see the inclusion body provide training, education and guidance.

Nujum Sports were founded in 2020 by former Football Association officer Ebadur Rahman with the aim of improving opportunities for Muslim sportspeople.

Muslim players Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are two of the group's ambassadors.

Last year, they developed a 10-point Muslim Athlete Charter to assist sports clubs and organisations to properly recognise and support Muslim athletes.

In February, Middlesex became the first county to sign the charter, but Nujum will now work with all 18 first-class counties, men's and women's England teams and the recreational game.

"Throughout my time in this beautiful sport I have witnessed the highs and lows, without my faith it would have been a great struggle," said Ali.

"It's time we recognise 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."

^{Nujum will provide training, education and guidance as part of the link-up (@nujumsports/Instagram)}

Nujum Sports founder Rahman added: "Cricket deserves to be loved and played by everyone. Equality, diversity and inclusion aren't checklists we need to tick off but rather tools to help us in today's ever-demanding world.

"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 link-up represents the ECB's latest step toward attempts to make cricket more diverse and welcoming to people from all backgrounds.

Chief diversity and communications officer Kate Miller explained: "Over the last year, Nujum Sports has assisted the ECB, particularly in preparing for Ramadan, helping us to support many clubs and players with practical advice and guidance.

"Ensuring that cricket is open, inclusive and accessible for people of all faiths is critical to us.

"Working with organisations like Nujum will allow us to learn more, connect better and challenge ourselves to continually improve our work in equity, diversity and inclusion."

Related Topics

• Adil Rashid open to Test return
• Moeen Ali would not join Yorkshire as a "publicity stunt"
• Brendon McCullum not ruling out returns for Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid
• Moeen Ali "would love" to play Test cricket under Brendon McCullum