RIYADH, 3 December 2006 — Arab News will sponsor the Interschool Cricket Tournament organized by the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) for the year 2006-2007.

Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena confirmed the sponsorship at a meeting held recently in Riyadh with the executive committee members of the RCA. Speaking on the occasion, Almaeena said cricket is a sport that should be developed from the grass root level.

“Saudi students should take to cricket not only to learn the skills but also to acquire discipline.” He also said sports encourages tolerance and acceptance of others. Commending RCA’s initiative to open a Cricket Academy, he also called upon the private sector companies to give their best cooperation to sponsor these events which would eventually help the Kingdom form a healthy generation.

Thanking Arab News for its sponsorship, RCA President Abdul Qadeer Mirza said Almaeena is the ‘father of cricket’ in the Kingdom who has rendered yeoman services to promote cricket in the Kingdom. He said that a three-member committee has been formed to work out the interschool tournament which will start Dec. 14 on the RCA grounds in Sulay area.

The teams confirmed to enter the tournament include Pakistani International School ( Urdu Section ) Sri Lankan International School, Bangladesh International School ( English Section), International Indian School, Jawahir International School, Al Manarat Al Riyadh School, Al Iqbal International School and the Middle East International .

“We are expecting a few more schools in the coming days, “ Mirza said. The teams will be classified into two groups from a draw that will be held shortly in the presence of representatives from the participating schools. “The Cricket Academy will coach students below 19 years to enhance their cricketing skills,” RCA Adviser Razaur Rahman told Arab News. He added that young cricketers will be trained in all aspects of the game starting including physical fitness, strategies and discipline.

For the new season, Rahman said the association has lined up two 40-over tournaments, two 20-over games and a six-a-side tournament. He also said RCA is planning to have a tournament for officials of the foreign missions of the South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.

“This will promote interaction among people of the region,” he added. In the past , Arab News had also sponsored squash, tennis and basketball.