Cricket club’s future at risk as Lottery funding is not acceptable for its mainly Muslim members


Asian cricket club of the year’s future is at risk because it refuses to take Lottery funding that is not acceptable for its mainly Muslim members

  • Mount Cricket Club in Batley, West Yorkshire, needs £2m to improve its facilities
  • Sports England, which gives donations to club, is funded by the National Lottery
  • But most of the team’s members are Muslim, and believe gambling is unethical
  • Abdul Ravat, a spokesman for the club, said it shows ‘disparity’ with other teams

The Asian cricket club of the year’s future hangs in the balance because it refuses to take Lottery funding as it is unacceptable for its mainly Muslim members.

Mount Cricket Club in Batley, West Yorkshire, needs £2million worth in donations to improve its facilities. 

But most of the cash-strapped club’s members are Muslim and believe it is unethical to accept contributions funded by the gambling industry. 

Mount Cricket Club, members pictured above, in Batley, West Yorkshire, refuses to take Lottery funding as it is considered unethical by its mainly Muslim members 

Mount Cricket Club pictured next to the International Cricket Council World Cup, which was on display at one of their presentations in 2019. The club needs £2m in funding

Mount Cricket Club pictured next to the International Cricket Council World Cup, which was on display at one of their presentations in 2019. The club needs £2m in funding 

Sport England, the public body which provides donations for the club, is financed by the National Lottery.  

The club, described on their Twitter as the ‘Asian Cricket Club of the Year 2019’, has previously been commended for its contributions to the local community.

Last year the team launched a summer camp, providing activities for children 16 hours every week for one month.  

According to The Telegraph, Abdul Ravat, a spokesman for the club, said: ‘The problem we’ll have is that we want to be able to serve our community in the ways we want to, but how can we do that if we can’t fund it? 

The club needs contributions to improve its facilities. Abdul Ravat, a spokesman for the club, said there is a 'disparity' shown with other teams

The club needs contributions to improve its facilities. Abdul Ravat, a spokesman for the club, said there is a ‘disparity’ shown with other teams 

The team won the Asian Cricket Club of the Year in 2019. Last year the club also launched a summer camp, providing activities for children 16 hours every week for one month

‘There is a disparity between us and other clubs.’

Phil Smith, Director of Sport England, reportedly said: ‘If we can offer a grant, we will ensure that the grant does not come from National Lottery funding.’  

The club was established in 1975/6 by cricketers Chairman Hanif Mayet and the late Farid Karolia.