‘Bowl Out Racism’ Campaign Launched at the House of Commons

Capital Kids Cricket (CKC), a UK-based voluntary organization, has taken a new initiative to highlight cricket as a tool for social change. On Saturday, the organization officially launched its new campaign, “Bowl Out Racism”, at the House of Commons in London. The campaign aims to raise awareness against racial discrimination and promote an inclusive society through cricket.

The event was hosted by British MP Rachel Blake.

Despite coinciding with a London transport strike, the program saw strong participation, with campaign partners, supporters, and representatives from the cricketing community in attendance.

Among the key figures present was CKC President and England women’s cricketer Maia Bouchier, who traveled from Southampton to show her support. Former England fast bowler and Managing Director of Middlesex Cricket in the Community, Angus Fraser, also attended and delivered a speech.

Other notable contributors included CKC trustee Abdul Hai OBE, Chairman Kalyan Kumar (KK), Martin Smith (Head of PE, Mulberry Stepney Green School), and CKC role models Manav Patel and Md. Tanvir Ahmed, who shared their journeys from being CKC participants to becoming established coaches and mentors.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was also represented, with Board member Baroness Zahida Manzoor and Director of Business Operations and EDI Kate Aldridge addressing the event. Representatives from CKC’s partner organizations, including the Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation, were also in attendance.

National Cricket League Chairman Nahed Patel and Neo Cricket Club Chairman Ayaz Karim voiced their support for the campaign, underlining the importance of using cricket as a driver for social change.

CKC Chief Executive Shahidul Alam Ratan, in his remarks, stated: “Cricket is not just a game, it is a way of life.” His words reflected CKC’s philosophy, which has been central to its work for over three decades—using cricket as a positive alternative for young people in London’s inner-city areas. Beyond the UK, CKC has also extended its work internationally, promoting cricket in refugee camps in Lebanon, among Syrian refugees, and across parts of the Middle East, using sport as a source of hope, rehabilitation, and psychological stability.

The “Bowl Out Racism” campaign builds on CKC’s long-standing experience and aims to encourage diversity, inclusion, and coexistence among young people in the UK. By making cricket a medium for spreading this message, CKC hopes to show that the sport is not just about competition—it can also serve as a foundation for harmony and unity in society.