Pakistan Turn Down Invitations

Pakistan Turn Down Invitations
Fri 16 Jun, 1:09 PM


Pakistan have been forced to turn down a host of invitations to functions and fundraising events during their tour of England.

(Advertisement)
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, Bob Woolmer's side already have a full itinerary for the two-and-a-half month tour, which begins in just over a week's time.

The squad have received a number of requests from philanthropic and humanitarian organisations to attend functions in England to raise funds during their visit.

"These requests aim at raising funds for worthy causes such as earthquake relief, free eye treatment and other humanitarian causes," PCB director Abbas Zaidi told The Nation newspaper.

"Some UK welfare organisations have asked to arrange functions to honour the team.

"The PCB would like to thank these organisations for their invitations and to clarify that all possible slots for such appearances at obligatory functions have already been filled and there is no further possibility of the team making additional commitments, however worthy the cause."

Zaidi claims the PCB have already helped generate a significant contribution towards earthquake relief amounting to around £2.69million, which includes personal contributions by the team and special fundraising one-day internationals.

"While the team is grateful for these invitations, their primary task of focusing on cricket has to be given top priority," Zaidi added.
************************************************** *********

What you guys think ,should or shouldn't the Pakistani Team helpout the local Communities.

There is only so much they can do. If all their days are booked then that is the end of the matter. They are here to play cricket not to meet people and turn up at charity dinners where, most probably, they will be bored out of their minds.

Answer for your question is there already.

Oh trust me, i knew the answer and the reasoning ,yet I think that lot of small pakistani/muslim communities will benifit ,if the player take some of their personal time and help raise money for worthy cause ,instead of sight seeing / clubbing/chashing gori's ( younger players tend to do that) or kissing up to the big advertizing firms.

players spending time with the locals for a good cause is good for P/R ,and beleive me been a pakistani and a muslim ,we need tons of positive output specially after the train station boombings...........Thats all.

yar shoaib akhtar and rana naved can go on teams behalf ;)

I believe if there were "appearance fees" at stake, then at least one player in the team would probably attend.

I like the sound of that idea.

and rightly so

Didnt the England players make a few appearances for the Earthquake appeal in PAk; would be nice if the PAk team could do the same as a good gesture.

I think this means that Pakistani team has been already booked for fundraisers and cannot do anymore, rather than 'Pakistan team is only going to play and enjoy - and don't want to participate in any fundraising events'

"Appearance fees" for raising money for charity? Defeats the purpose doesn't it? SHouldn't that extra cash go towards the charities themselves?

he isn't a charity worker or fund raiser. He is an international cricketer. You want his time.....you pay him. He is under no obligation to do anything for anyone other than to play cricket for Pakistan.

No celebrity will do anything for free. In fact, Bill Clinton demans millions of dollars for appearances at charity dinners.

And the cash he is paid for appearing would probably be raised by his presence anyway. A lot more people would come if they knew Inzi or xyz cricketer was going to be there.

At the end of the day - we have no idea whats in the heart of these cricketers.

It always causes a lot of controversy when cricketers or any celebs join charity work - some would say that they do it for their own reputation - others will say its from the kindness of their hearts - you take your pick.

do you believe this deep down or are you just looking at the other side of the coin

you just have to take the statement at face value...i.e the team is booked up and they dont have any time to take on further engagements...there are thousands of muslim charities (including rich businessmen who want to arrange high profile dinners to raise cash for charities) here in england alone and it would be foolish to assume that they could accept every invitation...
as it stands they are already playing in the charity 20/20 game at the oval and making numerous appearances while in england...its amazing they'll find enough time to prepare and concentrate fully for the test matches...

Prepare- believe this deep down or other side of the coin? Not sure what you are getting at as I have only stated FACTS.

1. Inzi is not a charity worker or fund raiser. FACT.
2. Inzi is not under any obligation to do anything for anyone (apart from play cricket for Pakistan). FACT.
3. Inzi is entitled to ask for a fee if someone wants to use him to make money....whatever the cause. FACT.

Exactly what i was thinking. If England announced they couldnt go to these places there would've been an outpour of abuse......

Read the damn article before you post.

It says clearly........all available slots for appearances at funcitons have been filled! They players are human beings.....they cannot be at more than one place at any one time

Previous Pakistani teams have always supported charity and "local community" functions on behalf of the Pak community in the UK and I'm sure they'll be just as accommodating this time around.

One has to realise that the squad can only do so much and a lot of the time they are asked to attend far too many functions which would affect their cricket.

I do not thin k our team turned down all invatations. They already have alot of fundraisers planned before the tour was organized. The 20/20 for example and probaly other charity dinners. Tehy are human too and can't go to every charity dinner each night.

I agree with PCB, main focus cricket. It is not like they are not helpign at charity at all, tehy still are....just can't help everyone.

True, we don't know what is inside their hearts, but their actions and demands do reflect something about them. There are some players who do not charge a penny and truly believe in the cause of the charity.

Others obviously charge appearance fees, whilst trying to convince the public that they should reach in their pockets for a charity they themselves do not care about. Forget reaching in their own pockets, these players want to make money out of the charity. It's pretty shameful if taken at face value.

No celebrity will do anything for free? Aren't we making a grand generalization - which in fact is contradicted by numerous examples across the world and across different cultures.

You talked about obligation. The entire concept of charity is to do something which you are NOT obligated to. Of course NOBODY is obligated to do any charity - that is the whole point.

I am also intrigued by the 3rd para above. It isn't about where the cash would come "from". It is about where that cash would "go" - that cash which is paid for appearance fees - it would go to the needy otherwise.

Also this isn't about Inzamam. I don't know whether he charges or not. This is about the principle.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/charity

char·i·ty

# Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
# Something given to help the needy; alms.
# An institution, organization, or fund established to help the needy.
# Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.
# Indulgence or forbearance in judging others. See Synonyms at mercy.

Good post