Saudi Arabia: Kingdom of ambition

An Asian Cricket Council (ACC) team including Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq and Development Manager Bandula Warnapura has completed a high-profile inspection tour of Saudi Arabia. The team visited Jeddah, Yanbu, Dammam and Riyadh during an intensive five-day schedule which included a meeting with the head of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, Prince Sultan Bin Fahd and Deputy Governor of Al-Baha Region and Patron of Saudi Cricket Centre Prince, Dr. Faisal Bin Muhammad Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz.

"It is clear that Saudi Arabia wishes to progress, it is up to them to work with us to help them achieve their aims, which include better facilities, and more access to high-level coaching and umpiring," said Huq.

The example of Afghanistan, an ICC Affiliate nation which has climbed the ladder at great speed and is now playing in the ICC World Twenty20 2010 in the West Indies as well as being an ODI nation, has inspired Saudi Arabia.

Warnapura noted at a press conference in the Kingdom: "Saudi Arabia has already established its mark on the international sports scene, especially in soccer where it played in four World Cups. But playing in an ICC Cricket World Cup could become a reality if things are put in the right direction and perspective."

Notwithstanding the talent in the country, the distance between the locus points of cricket in the kingdom (Riyadh to Dammam 400 km, Riyadh to Jeddah 845km) and the lack of turf wickets throughout the country has so far held Saudi Arabia back from being able to create a well-trained cadre of international cricketers.

Sites at Dammam and Yanbu have been identified as potential locations for cricket stadia and with plans to develop them will form part of a detailed development proposal to be submitted to Prince Sultan this month.

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