JEDDAH, 8 December 2006 — There are all sorts of people in Saudi Arabia, but many of them share one thing in common: A deeply felt enthusiasm for cricket. Arab News has always shared the passion for the game with its sport-loving readers.
In another step in the newspaper’s advocacy for the game in the Kingdom, Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena has announced that Arab News will sponsor a series of tournaments next year in Jeddah, Madinah and Yanbu, as well as an inter-school contest in Riyadh.
Details are being worked out by local cricket boards recognized by the Central Cricket Board of Saudi Arabia (CCCB) and will be announced later.
The announcement was met with huge enthusiasm.
“Arab News, and especially Almaeena, have always played a stellar role in promoting cricket in Saudi Arabia,” said a jubilant Shahid Amin, president of the Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) and chief executive officer of CCCB. “Thanks to Arab News, cricket has become not only popular but has helped promote harmony among expatriates of various nationalities.” Amin cited a number of initiatives that Arab News has taken since 2000 in organizing cricket tournaments.
“The Pakistani, Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi expat communities remain indebted to Arab News for making a difference in their lives,” he said. “We at the JCL and CCCB look forward to Almaeena’s continuous support in taking the game in Saudi Arabia to greater heights.” Abdul Jabbar Hussain, former president of the Yanbu Cricket League, expressed similar enthusiasm.
“It is thanks to Arab News that cricket lovers have been able to enjoy the game,” he said. “Sponsorship of tournaments is one aspect. More important, by giving prominent space in the newspaper for local cricket events, the newspaper has demonstrated its commitment to readers — Friday’s Sports Weekly Special is a must-read for all lovers of the game.” Qayyum Ahmed, a student at the International Indian School-Jeddah (IISJ), said the one thing that propels him and others to excel on the field is the urge to “see our pictures in the Sports Weekly on Friday.” “Whenever my team wins and whenever my pictures appear in Arab News, I make it a point to send it to my grandparents in Hyderabad,” he added. “My Dada (grandfather) and Dadi (grandmother) are very proud of me. And I want to thank Arab News for all its support.” Abrar-ul Haq, a Pakistani cricket lover who is part of one of the local teams affiliated to JCL, said he has an emotional attachment to the newspaper.
“I remember when Arab News organized special screenings of the World Cup matches some time back in a local hotel,” he said while sipping tea at a popular restaurant in Jeddah’s Aziziya district.
“We didn’t have the Pehla Plus (pay-perview) TV connection then and it was thanks to Arab News that we could watch Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar in action in those days. Thank you, Arab News.” Mohammed Al-Rowaitie, CEO of Saudi Distribution Company (SDC) and Chief Marketing Officer at Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), said it is Arab News philosophy to take a holistic approach and to provide readers with the best coverage of local news, and news from back home for the newspaper’s large foreign readership in the Kingdom.
“South Asians form a sizeable portion of our readers and we understand their passion for cricket,” he said.
“By sponsoring cricket tournaments, we want to underline our commitment to our readership. They remain our first priority,” Al-Rowaitie added.
