Photo: AFP

The tenacious Tigers did themselves proud in the Asia Cup this Spring and for the first time reached the finals of a major cricket tournament and even then only narrowly missed out on victory. This represents the culmination of hard graft for the best part of a decade to re-build Bangladeshi national cricket. A relatively young team of this stature and promise, of course, brings great hope for the future.
Of course, this delights Bangladesh's 160 million population. Here the standing of its national game is integral to its national pride and self-image and brings greater hope for the future of Bangladesh itself.
I have long had a love and pride for our national game and the country and realised that sporting success and national economic advancement often go hand in hand. Now my business success and profile as a celebrity chef gives me a platform and means along with the kind support of public funding and commercial sponsorship - to do something to support the game further.
Of course, my activities to help create a positive Bangladesh and address some pressing social and economic problems haven't been confined to cricket - most recently I have been involved in supporting the 'Buriganga River keeper project' to clean the waters of Bangladesh.
I'm building the Tommy Miah Cricket Academy and its progress is well under way with the physical construction of the site, the selection of top-notch coaches and development of comprehensive education and sporting programmes for selected children.
Of paramount importance is the selection of the children themselves. Following an extensive tour up and down the country and careful appraisal, those lucky enough to have the opportunity to come to the Cricket Academy when it opens next year are in for a treat and a life-changing experience for them.
I firmly believe that it is important to provide holistic education and training provision for the nation's youth - who are our future after all - in whatever field to enhance the prospects of our proud nation. I look forward to telling you more about the Cricket Academy soon and achieving this dream.