Pakistan players to address media conferences in Urdu by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 9th March 2007

 

Pakistan's cricketers will address media conferences during the World Cup in their national language Urdu, and not in English, coach Bob Woolmer said here on Friday.

 

"The Pakistani players feel comfortable in their national language," the coach said.

 

"They can express themselves freely in Urdu and they are proud of their language and their country. Our media manager Pervez Mir will act as interpreter during the press conferences."

 

Mir, a former international player who represented Pakistan in the inaugural World Cup in England in 1975, said players had the right to choose their language.

 

"It happens everywhere in the world. Football players speak in French, Latin and various other languages as they feel comfortable talking to the media in their mother tongue," said Mir.

 

Pakistan Cricket Board conducted an English course for their players two years ago, but had to abandon it as hectic schedules did not allow them to learn the language.

 

"We don't see it as a problem for international media as what the players say would exactly be translated into English," said Mir.

 

Pakistan are in Group D with the West Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe. They take on the hosts in the tournament's opening match at Jamaica on March 13. The top two teams will qualify for the next Super Eight stage.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)