JEDDAH, 1 May 2005 — The Central Cricket Control Board (CCCB) is sending a Saudi team to Pakistan to play six matches — three each in Karachi and Lahore from June 8-17, CCCB and Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) President Shahid Amin said on Friday night.
The team will be selected from the six-match intercity mega event being played at the JCL’s new Jeddah Cricket Complex, north Obhur, on May 27.
Teams participating in the selection matches include JCL’s five teams and an Under-17 team. Their opponents will be Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA), Dammam, Yanbu Cricket League (YCL), Madinah Cricket Association (MCA), Central Province Cricket Association (CPCA), Riyadh, Jizan Cricket Association (JCA), and YCL U-17.
A day before the mega event, the traditional warm-up match between EPCA President’s XI and JCL President’s XI will be played. The same night (May 26), JCL will host a reception in which more than 100 players and dignitaries from Test-playing countries have been invited to attend. They include some of the former Test players. The selection committee, headed by Aijaz Ahmed Khan (JCL), includes Mirza Shahbaz Baig (YCL), Sajjad Nawab (EPCA), Hashmath Qazi (MCA), and a member from CPCA, Riyadh.
Asked about the status of CCCB vis-à-vis the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its Asian body - Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Shahid Amin said: “The ICC and the ACC will be finally convinced as to who the real promoters of the game are. They (ICC and ACC) can delay us, but cannot deny us. The truth will ultimately prevail.”
Shahid Amin organized the screening of a CD on the history of cricket pioneered by CCCB and JCL, from 1976 to the present day at the press conference. The program details the contribution of Sheikh Zainal Alireza, Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena, Yasin Alireza, and Ian Haig, former Australian ambassador, in founding and promoting cricket across the Kingdom. All of them have been patronizing the activities of the two organizations, especially Almaeena who is also the patron of various cricket associations in the Kingdom.
Arab News has been sponsoring U-17 and U-19 tournaments for over five years. These have been among the most popular cricket events. Saudi Gazette has been sponsoring U-15 for three years. “Urdu News could consider sponsoring U-13,” Shahid Amin said.
He indicated that an academy-level coaching center would be started at the new JCL Cricket Complex once the work was completed. “Thirty percent work has so far been done and the remaining 70 percent which includes a green turf, floodlights, changing rooms to be upgraded to international standards, and other facilities will take time and money,” Shahid Amin said and mentioned Kanoo Group, Western Union Money Transfer, Bison, Sadafco and Zultec Technical Services as among the most active sponsors.
“The amount spent so far has come from JCL executive committee members, team managers, and some sponsors and well-wishers,” he said and called on cricket lovers to come forward and support the project financially. He said he had been interacting with the British Business Group and was hopeful of its support in the task of completing the project.
There is a plan to provide for 20 grounds in the complex. Nine of them are ready and being used. Three more will be ready within a month. Concrete pads for families and locker facilities for players have also been provided, in addition to a pavilion for VIPs and families.
Continental School Director Russ Law, founding member of 1395 team, which consisted of Australian and British players, said he was pleased to revive the team that played a match on Thursday. “I’ve been witness to Shahid Amin’s pioneering role in organizing and promoting cricket at different age groups and levels over the last three decades. I’m surprised how the international cricket bodies have failed to recognize his efforts,” he said.
Shahid Amin introduced Francois David, technical director of REEL & ROM, who produced the CD.
