UAE schools cricket receives a boost

The Emirates Cricket Board will be aiming to further increase the popularity of the game within the UAE through the launch of a junior development initiative.

The National newspaper in the UAE reports that the Emirates Cricket Board, with the backing of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Higher Education, is launching under 14 and under 16 competitions within the country.

The ECB chief executive Dilawar Mani admits there is a need to structure all competitions if they are to unearth some real talent and give young players the chance to test themselves competitively.

"We have drawn up a plan and will circulate information to the schools to fix dates for the Under 14 and 16 tournaments. We are not going to stop at that; the winners or the top two or three teams will qualify to play in an inter-emirate competition," said Dilawar Mani, the Chief Executive of the Emirates Cricket Board, in an interview with the National.

"Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak has a strong focus on the development of school cricket. The goal is to ensure that the UAE can grow the youth talent to compete at international levels.

"He also has an extremely keen interest in the operation of the ECB and he wants the affairs to be managed with high standards of corporate governance. He wants more unification of cricket formats and playing conditions across the country."

Mani also admitted in the interview that there is work to be done in attracting locals to play the game.

"These are some of key issues we need to address," added Mani. "There is no dearth in the interest and the game's popularity. But we need to work harder to improve the quality of the players and attract the Emiratis, which we haven't been able to do."