• Home
• /
• Local Sports

35 teams in fray for Gulf Cup cricket title

Sharjah: It will be a celebration of young cricket talent when the 14th annual Ramada Gulf Cup held under the auspices of the Sharjah Cricket Council gets underway from December 25 at the Skyline University Ground.

A premier event for schools, clubs, colleges and universities from around UAE, organisers GM Cricket Academy (GMCA) claim it will be the biggest cricket tournament ever with over 500 participating. This year’s event has attracted 35 teams who will be playing 100 matches over a period 15 days in under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17, Inter-Collegiate and Sponsors Cup categories at the Skyline University College and AL SADIQ Schools.

“We hope all the students, parents, patrons and our well-wishers come forward and take part in the event,” said tournament directors Shahzad Altaf and Abdul Rehman. “The organisers have highlighted the several aspects of a cricket tournament, and we will yet again strive to offer the best facilities and conditions to all the cricketers to show off their talent. The teams will play in coloured clothing and with white balls,” he added.

The success of this tournament was highlighted by the fact that two players who took part in the Gulf Cup, Ben Stokes and Scott Borthwick, went on to represent their national team. Stokes made his debut for the England team in the one-off One Day International vs Ireland and then was also included in the T20 and ODI squads to face India in England last year. Borthwick on the other hand made his debut against India in England’s return ODI Series tour to India last year. “As organisers of this tournament, GMCA is proud that players that have participated in the Ramada Gulf Cup are reaching milestones. This emphasises the importance of a professionally organised tournament for the youngsters,” said Shahzad Altaf.“It is encouraging that our hard work is being shown in the form of the progress that our participants make around the world. We will continue to promote this tournament for it to make a difference in the careers of all our participants,” he added.

English county cricket club Durham have endorsed the Ramada Gulf Cup by returning to participate for the eighth year. “This is a top quality tournament and the boys get a chance to experience sub-continent conditions,” said Durham’s Head Coach John Windows. Stokes and Borthwicks are both products of Durham as are several others who have graduated to the national level.

Jamie Atkinson captained Hong Kong in the U-19 World Cup in 2010,Rami Singh is currently playing for England U-19 while Benjamin Raine is currently playing for Durham CCC. Other success stories are Andri Berenger who played for YTCA (then known as Insportz Cricket Academy) in the Gulf Cup 2003 and went on to represent Sri Lanka in the Under 19 World Cup in 2010, Rameez Aziz also represented Pakistan in the Under 19 World Cup in 2010 while Rameez Shahzad another product of YTCA (then known as Insportz Cricket Academy)is currently playing for United Bank and also represents the UAE.