“It’s a sport that young people like”: the first cricket club in Eure was launched by an Afghan refugee

Since the beginning of the summer, the Eure region has had a cricket club thanks to the efforts of Ajmal Maroofkhail, an Afghan refugee living in Bernay (Eure). The first 15 players now meet twice a week to train, with a view to entering the sport's fourth division in France, dedicated to beginners, in April 2026.

Ajmal Maroofkhail, 22, arrived in France almost three years ago. "I settled in Bernay a year ago, after spending time in Rouen and Évreux. Since then, I've been training to be a house painter. As soon as I arrived, I immediately wanted to play cricket, the national sport in my country, something my family forbade me from doing," says, in perfect French, the man who initially wanted to become an airline pilot.

So, with a few unfortunate companions he met in the region, he decided to set up his own club, which he did last June. He has so far brought together 15 players from Afghanistan who live nearby, and has obtained the support of the town of Bernay and France Cricket for their debut in the French Championship.

Ajmal Maroofkhail's goal now is for the club to grow and become "a meeting place for everyone. It won't be just for Afghans. You just have to come with a smile. We want to open it up to young people, beginners, and girls."

Registration is open to those aged 14 and over. But the main constraint to consider is equipment. Gloves, helmets, pads, balls, and jerseys are expensive. "You can buy them in Parisian shops, but there are more affordable websites. It costs between 200 and 300 euros," the player estimates.

The club's beginnings look promising, according to him: "We've already held several initiations in the city and it's a sport that young people like. They can come and join us whenever they want to try it. We've also openeda kitty on HelloAsso to help us get equipped ."

While not very popular in France, cricket is the second most popular sport in the world in terms of both licensed and fan bases. It is an institution in England, Afghanistan, Australia, and especially in India and Pakistan, whose geopolitical rivalry often spills over onto the pitch . Its World Cup attracts over a billion viewers every four years (the next one will take place in South Africa in 2027).

After a first appearance at the Paris Olympic Games in 1900, it will return to the Los Angeles Games in 2028. France may not shine there, as the federation has fewer than 2,000 members for 51 clubs. But France Cricket hopes to attract new players in the coming years, thanks to this Olympic promotion and the enthusiasm of its young players.