Salman Ahmad hosts cricket against terrorism event (Pictures)

Pakistani rock star, Salman Ahmad from Junoon, on behalf of SSGWI took part in a ‘Not In My Game’ campaign to promote unity and pluralism and counter extremism among British Muslim youth. He joined the cricketing community of east London to celebrate the flagship ‘Not In My Game’ cricket tournament. The special twenty20 style community cricket tournament was one hundreds of community cricket games, held across the United Kingdom over the summer, to support the campaign which sends out a clear message; terrorism has no place in sport. Salman joined 11 teams from across London, even taking part with one team to make up their numbers, to back the Not In My Game campaign.

A NIMG tournament was held in Canary Wharf, East London, at the indoor cricket arena “Play On”. It was an action packed day with teams from across London competing for a chance to win ODI tickets and cricket kits.

The event gave London cricketers the chance to support Not In My Game and take a stand against terrorism in sport. The Not in My Game campaign is being led by Sport for Life! and Radical Middle Way, two grassroots charities who will bring together cricket fans from communities across the UK. In addition to encouraging people to sign the pledge in defiance of terrorism, the groups have been organising community cricket matches across towns and cities in the UK. Salman Ahmad, squeezed in time in his UK flood relief efforts to come and show his support for the campaign.

Salman, one of Asia’s most famous rock stars talked about his love of the game and the need to unite to take a stand against terrorism in sport. He, said: “It is great that so many local londoners joined me for the Not In My Game tournament. It was a great day out and the standard of cricket was very impressive. Sport like music, unites the world and gives us all something to celebrate. My real “junoon” or passion is raising awareness of some of the most important social and political issues of our time. As a former professional cricketer and a cricket fan, the attack on the Sri Lankan team shocked me greatly, as it did cricket fans around the world. Terrorists attack indiscriminately and their actions affect us all. We will not let terrorists ruin our love of the game and and we urge everyone to take a stand with us.”

SSGWI will soon be launching Pakistan Hamara, a song and video which Salman has recorded with Peter Gabriel for flood relief.

www.notinmygame.com.