ABU DHABI // The UAE can expect to have Emirati representation in the national cricket side soon. That is the hope of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and also chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
Speaking at a reception to honour the national team’s qualification for two world cups, Sheikh Nahyan said he would like to see an Emirati cricketer in a side currently made up of expatriates from the subcontinent.
“Definitely, we would like to see one,” he said. “There are a few of them and I am sure we can form a national team very soon.”
Under coach Aaqib Javed, the side has taken major strides during the last 12 months, and reaffirmed its status as one of the stronger associate sides. They play in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month and at the start of next year, they will take their place at the 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
So far, only two Emirati cricketers have represented the UAE, and both, Sultan Zawarani and Saeed Al Saffer, were part of the first squad to play in a World Cup, in 1996.
“Since we in the UAE live in proximity to where cricket is mostly popular, we are interested in promoting this game,” Sheikh Nahyan said.
“We are encouraging our youth to participate in the game, to take it up, and we expect we would be able to form our national team soon, I hope.”
At the reception, Sheikh Nahyan congratulated the team and was generous in his praise of their achievement. “We have qualified for the second time now and qualifying for it wasn’t easy,” he said. “It doesn’t come out of nothing. It needs dedication, commitment and support from everyone and this is the result of that.
“We would like to thank everybody who has had a hand in making this possible and we wish the UAE cricket team the best in the tournaments.”
Further support was promised for the side in the next year. “We will stand by them and support them because they represent the UAE and we want them to do the best and we will support them to allow them to do their best,” Sheikh Nahyan said.
The recognition and acknowledgement of their achievements was a boost to a side made up entirely of semi-professionals.
“It is a big thing for UAE cricket,” Aaqib said. “They gave such a good performance and it has been recognised. The team feels honoured to have been recognised and I am sure they will try even harder now for the big events.”
It could even have a knock-on effect in the search for an Emirati cricketer. Plans are already underway for an academy to be built in Al Ain, where, Aaqib said, there had been bubbling interest in the sport among Emiratis.
“We went to Al Ain because there is a community there interested in cricket, a few people also in Fujairah and Umm Al Qaiwain,” he said. “We are planning on starting an academy especially for Emiratis. That is our main aim, because attracting interest from there is the only way forward. In three to four years maybe a few will come up in the Under 19s and then hopefully in the senior team.”
In the shorter term, the qualifications have furthered the case for providing financial security to the current squad, to find a way of allowing them to train as professionals while holding full-time day jobs.
Sponsors have begun to show an interest in the side. The financial windfall of qualifying for International Cricket Council events may also boost efforts to introduce a system of central contracts for the players.
Even at the junior level, where youngsters inevitably choose further education over the pursuit of a cricket career, plans are being made to prevent an exodus of young talent.
“We are planning for some system of contracts,” Aaqib said. “Amateurs can reach up to a certain level, but if you want to go all the way, to reach the level of professionals, then you have to be professionals. We are working on it and soon we will offer them a contract.
“We are also planning a programme to support youngsters who are planning for university. We will support them as far as studies are concerned. And with all the success we have had recently, a few of them have changed their minds and are looking for universities here now.”
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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