RIYADH, 7 December — A meeting to organize the prestigious Arab News Power Horse Schools Cricket Tournament was held here recently. The meeting, attended by representatives from 11 major schools of Riyadh region besides officials of the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA), discussed in detail how to organize such a major cricket event in Saudi Arabia, which has not been traditionally a cricket-playing nation.
Addressing the meeting, RCA President Qadeer Mirza said that this Arab News Power Horse Cricket Tournament will provide an opportunity to identify new cricket talent in the Kingdom, where cricket as a game has been introduced recently.
He said that the RCA, which will organize this event in Riyadh region on behalf of Arab News and Power Horse, functions under the patronage of Prince Brig. Gen. Dr. Abdul Aziz ibn Nasser ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
Speaking on this occasion, Hermann Ritz, Power Horse country manager, said that Power Horse Energy Drink would always be in the forefront of promoting cricket in Saudi Arabia.
Ritz thanked all schools, Arab News representatives and RCA officials for organizing such a prestigious cricket tournament in the Kingdom. He said that he “is committed to helping such endeavors in the future also”.
Referring to the arrangements being made for this cricket event, Mirza said that the RCA had constituted a six-member tournament committee under the supervision of Asif Saleem, RCA’s senior vice president, following the preparatory meeting held here recently to organize the tournament. This panel, however, will be headed by Mirza himself.
This six-member RCA panel entrusted with the task of organizing the event also includes cricket veterans of Riyadh like Ahsan Raza, Hanif Baber, Khalid Rana and Razi Mohiuddin.
The meeting held at the local La Sani Restaurant discussed the details of the preparations to be made for the inter-school under-17 years cricket tournament sponsored by Power Horse and Arab News.
The meeting, convened by RCA with Arab News representative M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan, was attended by 11 schools of Riyadh region including Pakistan International School (PISR), British School (SIASR), Indian International School (IISR), Bangladesh International School, Manarat Al-Riyadh, Al-Saghr School, Al Momin School, Pakistan International School (English section), Jawahir Al-Riyadh, Multinational School and Diplomatic School.
The meeting discussed various suggestions from principals and representatives of the participating schools in order to make the tournament successful.
All schools assured their full cooperation to RCA, which is also considering to organize an under-14 years schools tournament similar to the under-17 as part of this forthcoming Arab News Power Horse Cricket Tournament. Schools wishing to take part in the competition may contact Asif Saleem on 01-4785800 X540 or Ahsan Raza on 01-4032222 X11627 for further details regarding the U-14 and U-17 tournaments.
It was also announced on this occasion that the RCA will start cricket coaching for school students in Riyadh. Interested parents and schools wishing to avail of this coaching facility may contact Asif Saleem or Syed Taqiuddin on 01-478-0252 X211 on any working day.
Nasser Ali Khan, RCA’s public relations officer, highlighted the activities of this Riyadh-based cricket association and introduced RCA’s officials to the guests before the dinner.
Meanwhile, RCA hosted a reception-cum-photo session in honor of the visiting Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan at local Marhaba restaurant. The event to felicitate the charismatic cricketer-turned politician was attended by a large number of Imran’s fans, friends and cricket lovers. Imran was in the Kingdom on a mission to generate support for building a cancer hospital in the Pakistani port city of Karachi after setting up a similar facility in his home town.
