Tape ball festival lights up with games, stars, and cultural delights

Sydney Thunder and Cricket NSW organized a tape ball festival that brought excitement to Cricket Central with games, stars, and cultural delights. Originating on Karachi's streets in the 1960s, tape ball cricket has since gained popularity among Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and Nepalese communities.

Tape ball cultural festival is set up a massive 24 hours of entertainment for cricket fans.

Tape ball, traditionally played with a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape, holds a similar cultural significance in Pakistan as backyard cricket does in Australia.

Cricket NSW is offering a variety of different lived experiences and cultural backgrounds, including insights into NSW’s South Asian cricket communities.

Attendees praised the enthusiasm and dedication of South Asian youth involved in cricket initiatives in New South Wales.

Tape ball format has also become popular amongst Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nepalese communities.

The Sydney Thunder Tape Ball League Cultural Festival, featuring Thunder stars, and cultural performances, was held at Cricket Central on June 29.

Tape ball, akin to backyard cricket in Pakistan, is praised by cricketer Fawad Ahmed for its cultural connection.

Cricket NSW has setup a Cultural Advisory Council (CAC) is a LOTE agency for providing a crucial connection to these communities.

Originating on Karachi's streets in the 1960s, tape ball cricket has since gained popularity among Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and Nepalese communities.

On Saturday, June 29, Cricket Central in Sydney Olympic Park hosted a lively festival featuring tape ball games, food vendors, henna and face painting.

Fawad Ahmed, former Australian international and Sydney Thunder representative, praised the community enthusiasm for the initiative through cricket.

Attendees enjoyed appearances by current Thunder stars Tanveer Sangha and Phoebe Litchfield, as well as Pakistani-born former Australian international and Thunder representative Fawad Ahmed.

Celebrity comedian and host Nazeem Hussain praised Cricket NSW and the community for their efforts in promoting the sport.

The event also included entertainment from comedian and MC Nazeem Hussain, along with energetic performances by Bhangra dancers and Dhol drummers, complemented by a range of activities for children.

The event also included entertainment along with energetic performances by Bhangra dancers and Dhol drummers, complemented by a range of activities for children.

Minister for Multiculturalism and Sport, the Hon. Steve Kamper MP, told SBS Urdu that the NSW Government recognizes sport's crucial role in engaging multicultural communities and noted how cricket uniquely unites South Asian cultures with unmatched passion.

Minister for Multiculturalism and Sport Mr Steve Kamper says that NSW Government recognises the critical role that sport plays in engaging multicultural communities.

He emphasized the government's $1 million partnership with Cricket NSW under the South Asian Engagement Strategy, focused on boosting cricket participation both on and off the field. He expressed anticipation, saying, "I look forward to seeing the next Usman Khawaja, Tanveer Sangha, or Fawad Ahmed at the SCG in a Baggy Green."

The festival is featured casual tape ball games, food trucks and henna painting, along with appearances from current Thunder stars Tanveer Sangha and Phoebe Litchfield, as well as Pakistani-born former Australian international and Thunder representative Fawad Ahmed.

The cultural festival isl set up a massive 24 hours of entertainment for cricket fans.

Cr. Pierre Esber, the Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta Council, praised the enthusiasm and dedication of South Asian youth involved in cricket initiatives in New South Wales. He highlighted their contributions to the sport and the positive impact of their participation on the local community.

Event highlighted the South Asian's contributions to the sport with the positive impact of their participation.

The Sydney Thunder Tape Ball League will start on Monday August 26 and be played over six weeks at Blacktown International Sportspark.

The NSW Sports Minister acknowledged that cricket uniquely unites South Asian cultures with unmatched passion.

The Tape Ball festival provided fun for youth and children of all ages.