JEDDAH, 27 October 2004 — Jeddah will soon have the Kingdom’s first cricket stadium. Zulqiurnain Ali Khan, managing director of ZULTEC who has been a regular sponsor of Jeddah Cricket League (JCL), announced the project while speaking as the chief guest at an iftar party hosted by JCL on Monday night. “After two years of negotiations, we’ve earmarked a piece of land in Jeddah to build the Kingdom’s first cricket stadium to enable JCL stage international events,” he said.
JCL President Shahid Amin, who has worked as a designer, chief engineer and consultant in various companies, is preparing the conceptual designs of the stadium.
Khan has built two schools for the underprivileged in Jeddah. He is running them with the help of friends.
Khan presented the ZULTEC-sponsored Saudi Arabia’s National Day winner’s cup to Saudia Milk captain Anees Malik and the runners-up cup to Young Athlete captain Hussain. He said Shahid Amin had been a pioneer of cricket and promoting the game since JCL’s inception 28 years ago. “I assure full support to JCL and Central Cricket Control Board (CCCB), which have been promoting the game over the years,” he said receiving a plaque of appreciation from Shahid Amin.
He also presented plaques of appreciation to two senior cricketers Zahid Ali Khan and Shaker Khan who have been associated with JCL and are returning home for good. Zahid Ali Khan who came to Jeddah 27 years ago, is a former Ranji Trophy player from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad and was one of the best left arm spinners Jeddah has seen. He recollected some of his memorable performances and recalled his first meeting with Shahid Amin and subsequently the first match he played in which he took 7 wickets against 1395 — a cricket club that was led by Shahid Amin and included British and Australian cricketers. Later he played for and captained BMW club for many years. “I admire JCL’s discipline and quality of cricket,” said Zahid who represented the JCL in many intercity matches.
Shaker Khan, better known as JCL’s Shahid Afridi (Pakistan’s ace all-rounder) who returns to Pakistan, played for Saudia Milk. He is well known for his all-round performance and has won many matches for his team.
Shahid Amin said the youth development program was the brainchild of Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled A. Almaeena, who is one of the pioneers of cricket here. Arab News sponsors various youth events in all parts of the Kingdom. JCL is the pioneer in this field as the first of such events started in February 2000. He also confirmed Arab News sponsorship of the Jeddah Interschool U-19 tournament this year like in the previous years. Arab News recently sponsored the JCL vs. YCL U-17 maiden intercity matches played in the floodlit Royal Commission Ground in Yanbu. Shahid Amin said Saudi Gazette would sponsor the Jeddah Interschool U-15 tournament for the 3rd consecutive year. The tournament is due to start on Nov. 18 and matches would be played on Thursdays.
The Western Union Money Transfer will sponsor JCL’s intercity matches as well as Division 1 & 2 of the main league. BISON Energy Drink sponsors the Premier Division. Shareef Aslam has been officially appointed as JCL’s Urdu reporter. Afsar Faheem conducted the proceedings. The event began with the recitation of the Qur’an by Abdullah Afsar Faheem.
