Oman plans new academy

After years of planning, false starts and overweening ambition, the Oman Cricket Board finally look to be on the verge of securing its own turf training facility, with room for nets and a small ground on a 5000 square meter site at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.

"It's a very important step for Oman cricket," says ACC Development Manager Bandula Warnapura of the proposed Omani Riyal 132,790 (approx. US$355,000) project. "It is just the planning stage now, a lot of work needs to be done and funds need to be secured from local sponsors as well as approval from the ACC for funding, but its own ground is very much needed if Oman cricket is to progress."

Without a proper turf facility at home, Oman typically took much time to acclimimatise to wickets in competition with other teams familiar with turf. It usually appears good at the end of events, by which time it's invariably too late. The country's talented cricketers can only benefit from a new turf facility and the Oman Cricket Board hopes to be working closely with the country's Ministry of Sports Affairs on the project.