| 23
November, 2004
Bowling for Conservation: Shoaib
Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar became
WWF – Pakistan’s (WWF)
first sporting Goodwill Ambassador
in a small ceremony at the Ali Auditorium
on the 23rd November, 2004.
Press, staff, and
WWF members enjoyed a short presentation
and cup of tea with the world’s
fastest bowler, who is luckily not
extinct in Pakistan unlike his less
fortunate wild cat equivalent, the
Asiatic Cheetah.
WWF’s Director-General,
Ali Hassan Habib, highlighted the
uniqueness of Pakistan’s environment
and the need the protect it, as
well as introducing WWF –
Pakistan: its structure, people
and work.
Richard Garstang,
WWF’s Conservation Director
and avid South African cricket supporter,
praised Shoaib’s talent and
intention, emphasizing this with
some well placed quotes and pictures
from Shoaib’s career –
Jacques Kallis may think twice before
refusing WWF membership!
However the clapping
and screaming was mainly saved for
the guest of honour. Shoaib discussed
his own affinities with nature:
his experience of seeing a cheetah
running in Africa, his solitary
travels through Northern Pakistan
and his desire for a clean and green
Pakistan.
Tea time offered
an opportunity for autographs and
photos as Shoaib mingled with the
guests in his newly gifted WWF t-shirt
and jacket. Expect to see these
items displayed across the world
when Pakistan beats Australia in
the upcoming tour as Shoaib rips
through the Australian batting order.
While the ceremony
was a simple and fun event, Shoaib
and WWF – Pakistan’s
dedication to conservation in Pakistan
is a serious issue. Land clearing;
depletion of forests and decreasing
water supplies; increased uncontrolled
pollution; and unsustainable development
are all resulting in a major deterioration
of Pakistan’s environment.
While WWF and other
conservation NGO’s are working
hard to raise awareness; provide
environmentally and socially workable
technology for development; and
protect species diversity in Pakistan,
conservation is the responsibility
of all people and requires mass
support to be effective.
Shoaib Akhtar’s
support of WWF helps us reach a
broad section of society with our
conservation message. WWF –
Pakistan thanks Shoaib for his dedication
to our cause.
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