Cricket Australia on Wednesday named former Pakistan and Indian stars Wasim Akram and Ravi Shastri among the 54 representatives of its ‘Multicultural Ambassadors Program’.
“Cricket Australia is proud to launch its Multicultural Ambassador Program, naming 54 people with diverse background and experience across government, business, sport, media and community as the as the inaugural representatives,” said a statement from the board.
The Ambassador Program was unveiled as a major initiative of the Australian Cricket Multicultural Action Plan. It brings together distinguished professionals from a range of industries to promote inclusivity and encourage constructive change in the sport and community at large.
Several prominent figures from the past and present, as well as leaders from the business and community, are on the list of ambassadors. They will promote diversity and help achieve the objectives stated in the Multicultural Action Plan. Usman Khawaja, Lisa Sthalekar, Wasim Akram, Ravi Shastri, Kishwar Chowdhury, Alana King, Peter Varghese, Swati Dave, and Fawad Ahmed are among the inaugural ambassadors.
The ambassadors, hailing from government, business, community, media, and cricket will help drive the five focus areas of Australian Cricket’s Multicultural Action Plan: Participation, High Performance, People and Representation, Communications and Engagement and Event and Experience.
Focusing on areas specific to their expertise the ambassadors will offer leadership, insight, and support to foster greater connectivity across the Australian cricket landscape.
Cricket Australia CEO, Nick Hockley said: “We are thrilled to welcome such a dynamic and diverse group as Multicultural Ambassadors. Their collective leadership, expertise and passion will be instrumental in driving meaningful change and fostering a more inclusive cricketing community.”
“The Multicultural Ambassador Program represents Cricket Australia’s unwavering commitment to creating a sport that reflects contemporary Australian society and embraces individuals from all backgrounds. Through collaboration and collective action, the program aims to ensure that cricket remains a welcoming and inclusive sport for all.”
“Our objectives are clear: to create more opportunities for multicultural members of the community to engage with cricket, break down barriers, build trust, and drive progress across,” he concluded.
Australian player, Usman Khawaja said:
“I am proud to sign on as one of Cricket Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors, I see the sport as a bridge that connects communities and welcomes all, fostering understanding, respect, and unity. As a sport we need to take the next step to ensure we get a greater and more equitable representation of the community as a whole by creating opportunities, celebrating our shared love for the game, and inspiring members of all backgrounds to get involved.”
Lisa Sthalekar, a former Australian player and cricket analyst, stated: “It is an amazing privilege to be a Cricket Australia Multicultural Ambassador. I get to celebrate and advocate for the variety that contributes to our sport’s vibrancy and inclusivity in this capacity. People from all backgrounds can come together through cricket, and I’m dedicated to creating an atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to play the game and feels accepted.”
The ambassadors, who were appointed for a two-year term, are from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Indigenous Australian, Bangladeshi, Nepali, and Afghani communities. Distinguished public figures, powerful business executives, and community advocates are among the ambassadors.
This diverse composition ensures a multifaceted approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion in cricket and society across all levels.