Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
UAE’s ACU head talks on ways to halt corruption in cricket
Gulf News
Follow
2/15/2025
Lt Col Muhammad Azam Khan says players involuntarily get trapped
Read the full story here: https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/icc/be-fair-and-play-fair-in-cricket-uaes-anti-corruption-unit-chief-says-1.89454068
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #cricket #sports
Category
🗞
News
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
Hello. Hello. Good afternoon, Colonel Azam. Yes, I'm good. Good afternoon. How are you, sir?
00:07
I'm good. Thank you so much. Thanks for giving us some time. Colonel Azam, I have seen in your
00:13
profile you have been associated with cricket, with Pakistan Cricket Board for many years.
00:21
Tell me, like you have been, this is the first time that ICC, an associate nation,
00:26
ICC associate nation have appointed an ACO officer. How easy was it for you to, you know,
00:36
implement whatever it is and how easy or difficult, if you can talk me through about the
00:41
process right now? Yeah. Okay. Thank you very much for getting me to this interview,
00:50
to give my point of view as Emirates Head of the Emirates Cricket Board Anti-Corruption Unit.
00:56
As you have already said that my background is from army and from the army intelligence,
01:01
basically. Most of my time has been spent into the intelligence field.
01:08
I joined Pakistan Cricket Board in 2013 as director security and anti-corruption.
01:16
And the main mission was to revive international cricket and then to see whether because there
01:22
were few players involved into 2010, you know, Mr. Mr. Amir, Muhammad Amir and others, you know.
01:28
Yeah. And then in 2019, I joined as a consultant with ICC. And then in 2019, by end of the year,
01:38
I joined Emirates Cricket Board. Now, the first thing was, as I was told that you are interested
01:45
to know the background that why the Emirates Cricket Board is the first associate member
01:50
who has got the anti-corruption unit in place, you know. The main reason is I'll just go into
01:58
the background so that you know that why it has happened, you know, for the first time.
02:06
There was the ICC anti-corruption unit when it was took over by Alex Marshall.
02:13
So he has performed very well. So he has done a lot to prevent cricket from corruption.
02:21
The education sessions went in, you know, to all the main teams. And there was a lot of people
02:30
reporting approaches. And the corruptors came to know that now they don't have any chance to get
02:37
into the main team. So then they started getting into the associates and to the under 19 players,
02:44
you know, because they wanted to earn money. So they saw that they don't have any future in
02:50
the main teams, you know, because of the ICC anti-corruption unit is being very effective
02:55
in educating players and everybody. So they got into the associate members team like they went
03:02
into. And you know, the most vulnerable players are from Asia, you know, from Pakistan, Afghanistan,
03:08
India. So their target was the UAE team, maybe Hong Kong, Oman, and maybe Singapore and Nepal
03:18
and these guys. So they became the target. So that was the reason that there was, if you remember,
03:25
in 2019 qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers, the ICC anti-corruption unit, I was part of that team,
03:33
that there were players who were caught and then they were suspended, you know,
03:37
five or seven of them from and they all unfortunately from UAE cricket. Therefore,
03:44
there was a need, there was a need of having an anti-corruption officer with them. And I was chosen
03:51
by the Emirates Cricket Board, probably because I had my background, because I'm being from
03:56
Pakistan. And at that time, most of the players were from Pakistan or India in the UAE team,
04:00
you know. So because I have the background knowledge, I am from the same culture. So they
04:06
thought that I will be the better person to look after the cricket in UAE. So that was the
04:14
main reason that the Emirates Cricket Board went to form an anti-corruption unit.
04:22
Yeah, lovely. After joining, what was the knowledge of these players? You said
04:30
these players were vulnerable because they didn't have enough knowledge.
04:34
But how good were the UAE players? Because obviously, like the past record when the five
04:39
players were banned and all the issues, but like, what was the level of their understanding of the
04:49
do's and don'ts, if you can identify? Yes. Number one, as you know, the most of the players,
04:58
they don't want to get into the corruption. They are always lured in, you know, most of them.
05:04
So in fact, by nature, nobody wants to get that embarrassment for himself, for his family,
05:11
for his country, you know, because they don't know. So they are lured in by the corruptors,
05:16
you know, they give them so many good stories, you know, so they lure them in into and they are
05:23
naive. So they don't know how to get rid of them. So whatever I told them, when I joined the
05:30
Emirates Cricket Board Anti-Corruption Unit, so the message was very well received. I've seen
05:36
99.9% of the players were happy to have the education session. They wanted to know,
05:44
they were eager to know that what all they have to do and what they don't have to do, you know.
05:49
So the message was very well received. Very, very good. And how was the change after that? Like,
05:56
very well received this one aspect, but how were they able to
06:01
stop those approaches or were they able to stay away from that without getting into that?
06:07
Was that, you know, like any instances of after that? Yes, of course. I'll just give you an
06:14
example. The first domestic tournament which happened was in 2020, D10, that domestic 10,
06:23
which was played in ICC academy grounds. So I got around more than five players coming to me
06:32
that they were approached by certain people, you know. So that was my success as an anti-corruption
06:39
unit that the players have started coming to me and telling me that they are being approached and
06:43
they were mostly approached by the people who are very close to them, who are very close to cricket,
06:49
you know. And it was very helpful for me. And then for the next education sessions,
06:54
I included those people who approached to the other players, to the other members of the team,
07:00
so that everybody knew that they are bad boys, you know, that they don't have to get in close
07:04
with them. So the thing has started off. And then in the next, in 2020 domestic 20 tournament,
07:12
which was played in Dubai stadium, I got seven players coming to me and reporting approaches
07:19
to me that they were approached for corrupt act, you know. So the corruptors came to know that now
07:24
they're the players, they are educated, so they know it. And then it went on, the graph went on
07:31
in 2020 and 21. But by end of 21, I have seen now the approaches even has declined, you know,
07:38
there are only few. In the last tournament, which was played in Ajman, last month I was there,
07:46
so there were only one person who was just approached, you know, and he immediately
07:50
reported it to me. So the message has gone, you know, it was very well received that do's and
07:56
don'ts, you see, they are very effective. The players exactly now know that whenever, so most
08:01
of the players, they have got my number. So even if I am here for just for an example, that there
08:08
is a, you see, fair break tournament going on in UK. So four of my female players are here.
08:14
So we have made a group on WhatsApp group, so all the four players are with me now.
08:20
So I am educating them what to do, what not to do. So they are talking to me that those girls,
08:25
so they are getting assistance from me, the guidance from me, you see, all any tournament
08:30
going on, we make a WhatsApp group, and then they all are through to me directly, you see,
08:37
to get any guidance from me. So this is what we are happening and it is very helpful as well.
08:43
Very good. Actually, you have answered my next question, like how do you plan to educate,
08:46
but I think the education process is already there. Now with the education process already
08:52
there, like, what next is your goal? Because you seem to have now come say that 99.9% of the
08:58
players are now aware of what are the do's and don'ts. So what do you think is the next step to
09:04
ensure that there is no like they are absolutely in a very safe and secure environment of
09:11
colonialism? Yeah. So the method of working in the anti-corruption unit is that we initially
09:21
go for the prevention, you know, and the prevention includes that we have to educate
09:25
people, we have to get into communication with them, we are in contact with them. So this is
09:30
all being done. So as far as and then we come to disruptions, you see, we gain information prior to
09:36
any happening. And then we disrupt that such corruption does not happen in the tournament
09:40
with the players, you know, and then we go for the investigations and then for the prosecution,
09:46
the later stages. But coming over again to the prevention and education,
09:52
I have started educating the UAE players. Initially, my target was the first 30 and 35
09:59
players will keep on coming into the team and going out of the team, you know, so they were my
10:03
first target. So we educated them in, I think, in a couple of months when I took over. And they were
10:10
not only my aim, but the aim was to educate the support staff as well, you know, the people who
10:17
are directly involved with them. So they are also well educated. So around 50 of them, they were
10:23
educated in the first session, on the first priority. And then by now, I can very safely say
10:30
that over 300 players have been educated in the councils, when we go for the domestic tournaments,
10:37
the education session, even now when Bahatar League is being played in Sharjah. So one of my
10:43
officers is there to look after the PMOA and he has given the education sessions time and again,
10:49
we are repeating it. It is a series of, you know, education sessions, we give it to them,
10:54
so that they know that what they don't have to do and how they can keep themselves safe. And
11:00
overall, so the education is not only for the players and player support staff. Now that we
11:05
started for the umpires, most of the umpires now are educated, the groundsmen even and the curators,
11:12
the heads groundsmen, and the venue team, you know, the management who are involved with the
11:19
cricketers, the venue manager, the safety security managers, and the operation managers. So those
11:25
participants have also been educated. Going a little ahead of that, even the broadcasters,
11:30
you know, the IMG people, I get hold of them and request them to come and attend and they were very
11:38
happy to attend my lectures to know how the corruption happens, you know, so and they how
11:43
they can keep themselves because they are from our point of view for the anti-corruption code
11:48
point of view, they are all our participants. So when they're participants, they have to be
11:52
educated. So we have educated for more than 500 participants in the last couple of years, you know.
12:01
Okay, now coming back to that, like, what about the junior level, like under 19, because
12:06
of education, if they do that pretty early, it makes it easier, isn't it when they reach the
12:12
top level? So how educated are the junior levels, maybe even look at it, there are many
12:20
matches played by under 13, under 15 level, under 19 level. So how was the process going on?
12:28
Yes, the under 19, both on both the sides, the women players and the boys, they are being educated,
12:36
we have got the under 19 teams with us. So all those who come and participate, they have been
12:41
already educated. When I say that over 300 players have been educated, we include the under 19s as
12:48
well into them, you know, and but now my further I have gone to all the associations like in Abu
12:55
Dhabi, in Sharjah, Ajman, you see, everywhere in Dubai, and educated them whenever they are playing
13:02
their domestic tournaments. But having said that, even more than that, what I now I plan is that
13:10
we are starting to go to the clubs now. And we are now trying to target those clubs,
13:17
that they are also educated right at the outset that the time they come into under 19. So they
13:24
already know that what they have to do and what they don't have to do, you know, that will ease
13:29
my job in future. Exactly, exactly. And if for these boys, for everybody who plays cricket,
13:37
if there is one line that or one piece of advice, you wanted to tell them so that they are they
13:44
get the message immediately and react. So what would be your piece of advice?
13:50
Yes, the one line message or advice would be that cricket is a gentleman's game.
13:59
Be fair and play fair, you know, and respect yourself, respect your family and respect your
14:06
country and most so respect the game. Simple. Thank you. Thank you, Colonel Azam. Lovely
14:13
talking to you. And I hope to see you when you come back. When are you back?
14:18
I'll be back in for the for the Asia Cup, I believe. Yeah.
14:22
Yeah. So that means you're telling that the Asia Cup is coming here.
14:25
Yeah, I heard about that.
14:28
So I will quote you that now like you said that the Asia Cup is coming here.
14:32
No, I'm not a media man. But that what I have heard that probably it is.
14:36
I know it's still not confirmed though. Adrian is not letting the cat out of the bag.
14:43
Everybody is talking about it. Thank you.
Recommended
6:36
|
Up next
Cricket coach Lalchand Rajput on UAE cricket team
Gulf News
2/17/2025
23:45
Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul lends his support to under fire Arshdeep Singh
Gulf News
2/15/2025
10:21
T2O World Cup: Reasons behind India’s capitulation against England
Gulf News
2/15/2025
5:46
Cricket: Reverse swing with Presley Polonnowita
Gulf News
2/15/2025
2:02
Watch Nidhi Razdan: Defections and corruption allegations: Maharashtra's political turmoil unveiled
Gulf News
2/17/2025
15:50
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE: India thrash Scotland to keep semifinal hopes alive
Gulf News
2/13/2025
13:46
ICC T20 World Cup: Gulf News experts analyse flying start for England and Australia
Gulf News
2/13/2025
15:49
IPL 2021 in UAE: Gulf News readers & experts analyse Sunrisers Hyderabad’s stunning win over RCB
Gulf News
2/13/2025
12:44
IPL 2021: Straight Bat with Gulf News and Mr. Cricket UAE Anis Sajan - Mumbai Indians vs RCB
Gulf News
2/15/2025
1:34
Nidhi Razdan: Wrestlers expose the challenges of speaking out against harassment in India
Gulf News
2/17/2025
15:18
World Test Championship: Test cricket at its best at Ageas Bowl
Gulf News
2/13/2025
9:12
Asia Cup 2022: Indian vice-captain KL Rahul says team looking forward to Sunday’s clash
Gulf News
2/15/2025
2:15:54
Gulf News-Mr Cricket UAE T20 World Cup Quiz: How cricket-lovers had their knowledge tested
Gulf News
2/13/2025
24:27
ICC T20 World Cup: Gulf News experts discuss each team's chances ahead of the launch in UAE
Gulf News
2/13/2025
16:51
ICC imposes ban on use of saliva to shine cricket balls
Gulf News
2/15/2025
13:38
IPL 2022: How Jos Buttler set up an emphatic win for Rajasthan Royals
Gulf News
2/13/2025
16:28
Why did Virat Kohli step down from India T20 cricket captaincy?
Gulf News
2/13/2025
13:45
Look back in wonder: It's 50 years of Indian cricket’s watershed year of 1971
Gulf News
2/15/2025
17:01
Asia Cup 2022: It looks like India's Kohli is coming back to his best
Gulf News
2/15/2025
13:37
T20 World Cup: Champions West Indies knocked out by Sri Lanka, Gulf News experts discuss the action
Gulf News
2/13/2025
26:32
IPL 2022: How Sunrisers Hyderabad pacers plotted the downfall of Royal Challengers Bangalore
Gulf News
2/15/2025
10:44
IPL 2021 in UAE: KKR hold off RCB to deny Kohli once again and make it to Qualifier 2
Gulf News
2/13/2025
1:21
Nitish Kumar draws criticism for releasing convicted murderer ahead of India election
Gulf News
2/15/2025
14:57
IPL 2021: Straight Bat with Gulf News and Mr. Cricket UAE Anis Sajan - PBKS vs MI
Gulf News
2/15/2025
46:04
IPL 2022: What is Hyderabad and Gujarat doing right and Mumbai wrong
Gulf News
2/13/2025