JEDDAH, 13 May 2003 — The inaugural Under-17 Jeddah Interschool Cricket Tournament will open at Jeddah Cricket League Sports Complex here on Thursday. JCL is organizing the tournament.
A draw for the tournament will be held at La Sani restaurant, Madinah Road, at 11 p.m. today. Nine schools participating in the event have been divided into two groups.
In Group A are Indian International School-Jeddah, Bangladesh International School (English Section), Saad Bin Abi Waqas (Green), PCS American School and Al-Wadi International School. In Group B are Saad Bin Abi Waqas (Blues), Pakistan International School (English Section), Hala International School and Jeddah Prep & Grammar School.
Two top teams from each group will qualify to enter the knockout tournament for the semifinals. The first round matches will be played on Thursday: IISJ vs. Bangladesh (English Section) at Kanoo ground, Saad Bin Abi Waqas (Green) vs. PCS American at Juffali Michelin ground, Saad Bin Abi Waqas (Blues) vs. PISJ (English Section) at Mahmoud Saeed ground and Jeddah Prep vs. Hala International at Hempel Paints ground. All participants should report at Mahmoud Saeed ground at 1 p.m. for the opening ceremony and a group photo session in white cricket uniform. All teams are also required to bring their own stumps, playing gears and first aid kits. JCL has made arrangements to provide umpires. Participating schools are required to submit 20 names at today’s meeting.
“This tournament is in continuation of the JCL Interschool U-19 and U-15 tournaments being sponsored by Arab News and Saudi Gazette respectively for the last three years,” Shahid Amin, president and founder of JCL which is organizing the tournament, told representatives of participating schools and the media that this tournament is in continuation of the JCL Interschool U-19 and U-15.
Hamid Rana will be the tournament coordinator and will be assisted by Ahsan Rafay. Mohammed Iqbal Choudry, executive secretary, will head the press committee. Assisting the committee will be Syed Majeedul Hasan and Syed Mussarat Khalil.
Matches will be played on Thursdays from 2.30 p.m. on league-cum-knockout basis. All matches are of 20 overs an innings and a maximum of four overs will be allowed per bowler. Bouncers will not be allowed during the tournament. Shahid Amin said JCL, being the pioneer and the oldest organization in the Kingdom, promotes cricket at all levels — Premier, First and Second Divisions.
