Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) has announced a new investment in Pakistan’s cricket industry at the grassroots level. Through its partnership with the Jalaluddin Cricket Academy (JCA), HHRD is expanding its Cricket Skills Development Program to Rawalpindi, continuing the organization’s commitment to youth empowerment through structured sports training.
The expansion builds on HHRD’s established program in Karachi, where 19 young athletes recently graduated from a three-year Under-15 Cricket Skills Development Program. The graduation ceremony drew national attention, with Pakistani cricket legend Younis Khan praising HHRD’s work and calling structured sports development essential to building brighter futures for the country’s youth. HHRD CEO Javaid Siddiqi and Director of Development Ilyas Hasan Chaudhary also attended the program, alongside coach Jalaluddin, the program’s founder and a former Pakistan Test cricketer.
Structured Development and Coaching
HHRD’s Karachi program combined technical skill-building, tactical understanding, and life-skills education over a multi-year training journey. The expansion to Rawalpindi introduces the same model to a new city, giving youth from underserved communities access to professional coaching, equipment, and mentorship.
Training follows a structured pathway that includes foundational techniques, specialization, and competitive participation. Each stage is designed to build discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend beyond the field.
A Pathway for HHRD’s Sponsored Youth
Among the program’s graduates is Owais Shakeel, an orphan sponsored through HHRD, who completed the organization’s three-year Sports (Cricket) Skills Development & Livelihood Program. HHRD shared his graduation as an example of how the initiative connects sports training directly to its broader youth sponsorship work.
Collaboration and Community Impact
HHRD’s collaboration with JCA and several high-profile cricket figures, including retired professionals such as Younis Khan, reflects a shared vision for strengthening Pakistan’s cricket ecosystem. HHRD describes the investment as part of a broader approach to using sports as a vehicle for empowerment, education, and positive social engagement in underserved communities.
Learn More
HHRD’s cricket development work is part of its broader Skills Development and Livelihood Program (SDLP). For more information about HHRD’s ongoing cricket programs and partnerships in Pakistan, visit HHRD’s Skills Development program page.
