Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have made history by becoming the first cricketers to enroll in Harvard Business School’s executive education program on the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS). This prestigious program has previously attracted renowned celebrities such as footballers Kaka, Edwin van der Sar, Gerard Pique, Oliver Kahn, NFL’s Brandon Marshall, NBA’s Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, and Major League Baseball’s Alex Rodriguez.
From May 31 to June 3, Babar and Rizwan will be participating in the BEMS program at Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts. Following the program, they will also engage with various communities in the United States until June 13.
Expressing his excitement, Rizwan stated, “It is a huge honor to represent Pakistan on such a prestigious global stage. We are going to the BEMS program at Harvard to learn from the best of the best in the world – both in terms of faculty and program fellows – and at the same time to share our journey and learnings with everyone. I am certain that this will be an exciting journey, and I look forward to sharing our learning and experiences with the next superstars of the cricket world.”
Babar echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing his passion for lifelong learning. He explained, “My inspiration for joining this world-class program at Harvard is to connect, explore, listen, learn, grow, and give back to the community worldwide. I am sure there are scores of things to learn from the amazing athletes and top business executives from the entertainment, media, and sports industries who are coming from corners of the world.”
Talha Rehmani, the founder and CEO of Saya Corporation, a sports talent management company, will also be part of the program alongside Babar and Rizwan.
Professor Anita Elberse, one of the youngest women ever to earn tenure at Harvard Business School, will chair the program. She expressed her delight at welcoming Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, noting, “We think the other participants will benefit greatly from their experiences as world-class athletes with a strong interest in the business world.”
The inclusion of Babar and Rizwan in the Harvard BEMS program not only highlights their commitment to personal growth but also showcases their desire to contribute to the global community and share their experiences with aspiring cricketers and professionals worldwide. This groundbreaking step by the Pakistani cricketers is sure to inspire future generations and reinforce the symbiotic relationship between sports and business.
Also, see:
Pakistan Shaheens involved in ball tampering vs Zimbabwe Select
