JEDDAH, 30 April 2004 — Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) is organizing an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) umpiring course for local umpires from May 5-11 in Jeddah, under the auspices of ACC. Khizar Hayat, former International and Test umpire of ICC and umpires’ manager, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), will conduct the course as per the ACC development program to enhance the knowledge of cricketers in ICC affiliated member-countries, according to SCC Development Manager Nadeem Nadwi.
Ahsan Raza, a certified umpire from ACC, is appointed as coordinator for the course, while Musarrat Khalil and Naeem Khan, who have completed the Level-1 ACC umpiring course, will provide support during the seven-day course.
“SCC, affiliated member of ICC and ACC, is responsible to promote cricket in the Kingdom with prime focus on Saudi nationals,” Nadwi said in a statement.
Sixteen players from Jeddah, Yanbu, Riyadh, Dammam and the Southern Province, who are interested to make a career in umpiring, are attending the course, which is designed to improve the umpiring standards of local cricket.
SCC conducted a high-performance coaching course in Dubai from Dec. 8-15, 2003, in which participants were Nadeem Saad Abdullah, a Saudi from Yanbu Cricket Association (YCA), Munawwar Javaid, a Pakistani from Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA). Emirates Cricket Board organized the course with the support of Cricket Australia.
Nadwi said that the meeting held last Sunday to create an opportunity to have a direct dialogue with Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) was “extremely constructive for bridging the gap between SCC and JCL and helping to clarify the objectives of the two organizations.”
Nadwi stressed only cooperation would enhance the development of cricket.
