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Emirates-DCC initiative big boost to cricket

DUBAI - A host of limited-over tournaments are to be staged at the 7he Sevens ground here in a bid to increase grassroots participation in the sport.

In a joint initiative by Emirates Airline and the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC), many local all-rounders, batsmen and bowlers will now have regular access to a venue capable of hosting major sporting events after a five-year hiatus without a proper home.

The DCC’s previous abode in Jadaf made way for the emirate’s ever-burgeoning construction work and growth back in 2006, leaving many UAE-based cricketers without a designated place of similar standing to practise and play.

However, with two pitches now set aside at 7he Sevens every Friday for the DCC’s usage, it’s hoped both organised and social activities will see playing opportunities back to prior levels very soon.

“The DCC is greatly looking forward to working with 7he Sevens. It is a great facility and will provide cricketers in Dubai a place to meet and help the development of the game in the UAE,” the organisation’s chairman, Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, said.

“We have launched our cricket activities at the venue with the highly-popular 25-over Mobil Cup for 24 ‘B’ Division teams.

“The Boom Boom Cup, under our auspices, is ongoing at 7he Sevens and the YTCA-Gulf Cup tournament – an event for schoolchildren – has just been concluded.

“We are exploring options to develop leagues and stage floodlit matches throughout the season and during the month of Ramadan.

“I’m very grateful to Sir Maurice for this association and allowing us to come and put our hands together for this fantastic arrangement to start the cricket back in Dubai.

“We have an excellent programme here, including all of the categories – corporations, the ‘A’ and the ‘B’ Leagues, schools, U12s, U14s and U16s – and we have planned that our programme will be continued.

“We looking forward to build upon this and our association will grow stronger and stronger.”

Emirates and the DCC have long-established links and this most recent venture reaffirms the former’s commitment to improving the cricketing infrastructure within the emirate.

“This partnership with DCC marks the latest stage in the development of the 7he Sevens,” explained the Executive Vice Chairman of Emirates Airline & Group, Sir Maurice Flanagan.

“It is with immense pride that we will once again be joining hands with the DCC and providing the sport a new home, which I hope will be at the heart of the community for generations to come. Although we are proud of our involvement in cricket around the world, with prestigious partnerships such as the ICC (International Cricket Council) – which gives the airline sponsorship rights to all its major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – contributing to the growth of the sport at a grassroots level is particularly satisfying for us.

“The facility here — with six pitches, practice nets and a pavilion with four dressing rooms, augmented by further dressing rooms and full catering facilities at the adjacent players’ club — has the capacity to host hundreds of players every week and we look forward to welcoming them to the 7he Sevens.”

He added: “We will do all that we can to develop cricket in the region and there’s a huge amount of cricket actually played in the UAE, but more could be played. I’d like to see more nationals playing cricket. Maybe, it will come?”

alex@khaleejtimes.com