Yodhin Punja has been granted a cricket scholarship with a school in England, writes Amith Passela
The UAE have lost another bright young cricketing prospect: Yodhin Punja, who became the youngest player, at 16, to play for the country in two formats – first-class and one-day internationals – will leave for England in the summer to join Claremont High School on a cricket scholarship.
Punja made his first-class debut in the Intercontinental Cup and first ODI appearance in the World Cricket League, both against Hong Kong last year. Before that, he starred for the UAE Under 19 side in the ACC Cup.
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He led Abu Dhabi Cricket Council in last year’s inaugural U19 inter-emirate national title and captained The Cambridge High School to win the U19 Abu Dhabi School League. It was also in 2015 that he was spotted by Claremont High School while leading Zayed Cricket Academy (ZCA) to the U16 Arch Cup title.
This time around, youngsters from England will face his pace at the ongoing Arch Trophy U19 tournament, being played in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman. The all-rounder has so far taken four wickets in the ZCA’s two wins over ICC Cricket Academy and Royal Belfast Academical Institute.
ZCA face Radley College of England today and the winner will play in Friday’s final.
How do you look at the Arch Trophy with so many foreign teams, particularly from England?
This is the third time I am playing in this competition and I see it as a platform for us to showcase our skills in front of some influential people. It helped me to get admission to a school in England where I can pursue my academics as well as cricket.
It is exciting times for you, to study in England and pursue a career in cricket?
I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Yes, I’m very excited, and looking forward to playing cricket in England. Of course I have to thank my parents for the support they have extended, particularly to pursue my cricket.
What sort of impact would you want to make?
I want to make the best use of this opportunity and establish a name for myself as quickly as possible. On the short term, my objectives would be to try and reach a level where I can play for clubs and counties.
What’s your feeling on leaving the UAE?
The UAE provided me a good platform. I lived all my life here and learnt all my cricket at the Zayed Cricket Academy. I want to thank from the bottom of the heart to all the coaches and staff at the academy. I discussed this matter with some of my coaches and they were all unanimous in their decision that I should go.
How did your cricket career start?
I was born on the same day as Sachin Tendulkar, on April 24. That created an interest to play cricket. I started to play with my friends in the streets and then my parents enrolled me at the Zayed Cricket Academy in 2007.
Did you have a cricket role model? Initially no. But later on, James Anderson (England fast bowler) when I started to play more seriously.
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Picture of Joumblatt and Hariri breaking bread sets Twitter alight
Mr Joumblatt’s pessimism regarding the Lebanese political situation didn’t stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians including Mr Hariri.
Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting around a table at a discrete fish restaurant in Beirut’s upscale Sodeco area.
Mr Joumblatt told The National that the fish served at Kelly’s Fish lounge had been very good.
“They really enjoyed their time”, remembers the restaurant owner. “Mr Hariri was taking selfies with everybody”.
Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.
Mr Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr Hariri’s assassinated father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The pair were leading figures in the political grouping against the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon that ended after mass protests in 2005 in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s murder. After the younger Hariri took over his father’s mantle in 2004, the relationship with Mr Joumblatt endured.
However, the pair have not always been so close. In the run-up to the election last year, Messrs Hariri and Joumblatt went months without speaking over an argument regarding the new proportional electoral law to be used for the first time. Mr Joumblatt worried that a proportional system, which Mr Hariri backed, would see the influence of his small sect diminished.
With so much of Lebanese politics agreed in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits put significant weight on how regularly, where and with who senior politicians meet.
In the picture, alongside Messrs Khoury and Hariri were Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.
The picture of the dinner led to a flurry of excitement on Twitter that it signified an imminent government formation. “God willing, white smoke will rise soon and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] will accept to give up the minister of industry”, one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings to you…We would like you to form a cabinet”, wrote another.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether these wishes come true.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
Turning waste into fuel
Average amount of biofuel produced at DIC factory every month: Approximately 106,000 litres
Amount of biofuel produced from 1 litre of used cooking oil: 920ml (92%)
Time required for one full cycle of production from used cooking oil to biofuel: One day
Energy requirements for one cycle of production from 1,000 litres of used cooking oil:
▪ Electricity - 1.1904 units
▪ Water- 31 litres
▪ Diesel – 26.275 litres
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
