Indian diaspora contributed richly to the development of cricket in Saudi Arabia

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GKIISC president Dr. Gayas Ahmed Sattar and co-founder Mohammed Kaleem present a memento to former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, center, in Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, center, presents the Youm Al-Watani Cup trophy to the winning captain. (Supplied)
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A presentation is made at the playing of the Youm Al-Watani Cup. (Supplied)
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A group photo of players at the Youm Al-Watani Cup, organized by GKIISC to commemorate Saudi National Day. (Supplied)
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A presentation is made to the Youm Al-Watani Cup MVP. (Supplied)
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The Youm Al-Watani Cup trophy is presented to the winning captain. (Supplied)
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A group photo of players at the Youm Al-Watani Cup, organized by GKIISC to commemorate Saudi National Day. (Supplied)
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Action from the Youm Al-Watani Cup, organized by GKIISC to commemorate Saudi National Day. (Supplied)
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Players engage in net practice at the Mark Cricket Academy in Riyadh. (AN Photo/Rashid Hassan)
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Updated 21 March 2024
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Indian diaspora contributed richly to the development of cricket in Saudi Arabia

  • Cricket has a storied heritage in Saudi Arabia, as for years South Asian expatriates have taken part in self-organized matches on the streets and parking lots of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other cities
  • GK International Indian Sports Club (GKIISC) began organizing tournaments per ICC rules, the most popular one being the Youm Al-Watani Cup to commemorate Saudi National Day

RIYADH: The Indian diaspora has contributed richly to the development of cricket played in Saudi Arabia for over five decades.

It was in 1978 when, for the first time, regional cricket associations in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam began organizing matches on weekends and developed improved cricket facilities.

In 2003, after obtaining a license from the General Presidency for Youth Welfare, Saudi Cricket was formally registered as an associate member of the Asian Cricket Council and an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council with its main objective to promote, popularize and develop the game in the Kingdom at the grassroots level.

In 2020, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, the official governing body of the sport in the Kingdom, under the auspices of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, was finally established, with Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud as chairman of the federation.

But the game has a storied heritage in Saudi Arabia as for years, South Asian expatriates have taken part in self-organized matches on the streets and parking lots of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other cities. Wherever they went, they took cricket with them.

An Indian cricket club that has played an important role in the rise of the game’s popularity at the community level in recent years is the GK International Indian Sports Club in Riyadh.

“The growth of cricket in the Kingdom is an inspirational story,” Dr. Gayas Ahmed Sattar, GKIISC president, told Arab News.

“Cricket in the desert was just next to impossible a few decades ago. A country with a football craze had no idea of the game. Now popular, cricket has made its presence felt and made its roots strong, thanks to the efforts of the expats from South Asian countries, including India. The Indian diaspora has contributed by and large to this effort from the grassroots level to the management level of the game,” said Sattar.

“Many big Indian names have played a role in this long journey of cricket in Saudi Arabia. Upon invitation from the Indian community, top Indian cricketers including Mohammed Azharuddin and Kapil Dev visited Saudi Arabia to promote the game and inspired budding cricketers. Thus, cricket has covered a long journey and has (gone from) tape-ball cricket to the full-fledged ICC-recognized game.

“The Indian diaspora contributed immensely by organizing tournaments at various levels, including in Indian schools, and in organizing cricket coaching camps regularly.”

Various small clubs mushroomed over time, taking the game forward at a fast pace. One such club was the GKIISC, founded by Sattar along with Mohammed Kaleem, which set the benchmark for Indian players and teams.

GKIISC began organizing tournaments per ICC rules, the most popular one being the Youm Al-Watani Cup to commemorate Saudi National Day.

“It was one of the biggest tape-ball tournaments in the Kingdom. The annually played Youm Al-Watani Cup finally went to top format when all A Division hardball teams took part in it. Similarly, many big clubs were formed in cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Khobar. Jeddah Premier League is another big name that is organizing cricket on a mega scale. Many big companies came forward to sponsor the tournaments. Thus, slowly the game made it to the high level, almost becoming the second game next to football in the Kingdom,” said Sattar.

Many Indian personalities held high positions in managing cricket affairs in the Kingdom like Nadeem Nadavi, who worked with the SACF. Indian players — including captain Hisham Shaikh, Mustafa Khalander, Shamshuddin and Ahmed Baldaraf — excelled in the Saudi national cricket team, playing an important role in cricket’s development in the Kingdom.

Another Indian serving cricket in the Kingdom is Mohammed Azimooddin Abdul Rahiman Karajagi, an ICC-certified curator and umpire, and head coach of the Riyadh Cricket Association. He also runs Mark Cricket Academy in Riyadh where he and his team provide cricket coaching, training the players with net practice as well as ground matches.

Echoing Sattar’s words, Kaleem said that the “Indian diaspora has gone a long way in bringing up cricket from the grassroots level to the international level.”

Ahad Murtaza, an Indian working as a faculty member at King Saud University and a cricket enthusiast, told Arab News: “Just take a drive through Riyadh’s neighborhoods and wherever you find open space, chances are you will see people playing street cricket. This is how cricket has been played by us here.

“I enjoy playing cricket as a hobby with my friends in my free time. I have always considered cricket to be a gentleman’s game in which we celebrate friendship, sportsmanship, and teamwork. We also learn how to enjoy our opponents’ victories and accept defeat with grace. Cricket is also about learning discipline and reflecting it with your bat and ball, with the performance.

“I have made a lot of friends from different backgrounds and cultures thanks to cricket. I have been working in Saudi Arabia for 10 years and in addition to my job, I simply love to play cricket, which has the ability to bring people together under one umbrella,” Murtaza added.


Ex-Turkiye boss Terim named Al-Shabab coach

Updated 15 sec ago
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Ex-Turkiye boss Terim named Al-Shabab coach

  • Terim won the 2000 UEFA Cup with Galatasary

RIYADH: Former Turkiye and Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim was appointed Al-Shabab boss on Friday.
Terim, who won the 2000 UEFA Cup with the Turkish outfit, replaces Victor Pereira in charge of the sixth place team in the Saudi Pro League.
The 71-year-old’s last job was with Greece’s Panathinaikos, but he left at the end of last season.
In Saudi Arabia, Terim will overlook a squad including Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco and Italy midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.
Terim is set to work under Al-Shabab’s director of football, former Juventus and Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedved.
“Having been a player with Juventus for years, he’s also done a lot as a director of football,” Terim told reporters at Istanbul airport before flying to start his new job.
“I’m very happy to be with him, I think he was a great footballer, a great name and an important symbol,” the former AC Milan and Fiorentina boss added.
 


Hosts Kuwait held by Qatar, Oman and UAE play out draw in Arabian Gulf Cup

Updated 27 December 2024
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Hosts Kuwait held by Qatar, Oman and UAE play out draw in Arabian Gulf Cup

  • 101st-minute equalizer rescued point for Qatar
  • Oman progress, UAE crash out

LONDON: Group A of the Arabian Gulf Cup came to its conclusion on Friday, with hosts Kuwait and Oman both securing the points they needed to progress to the semifinals.

Kuwait thought they had beaten their Gulf rivals with a goal from Mohammad Daham in the 74th minute of the match at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.

But a 101st-minute equalizer from Mohammed Muntari deep into stoppage time rescued some pride for the Qataris, who crashed out of the tournament by failing to win.

In the day’s other match, Oman faced the UAE in another crucial encounter.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, which secured Oman’s advancement to the next stage and brought the UAE’s campaign to an end.

Al-Ahli Dubai midfielder Yahya Al-Ghassani had given the Emiratis a half-time lead, but they were pegged back by an Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri equalizer 11 minutes from the end.

The group stages of the Arabian Gulf Cup conclude on Saturday with the final matches in Group B.

Saudi Arabia need a victory against Iraq to guarantee a semifinal spot, while already-qualified Bahrain will look to make it three wins from three when they play Yemen.


Argentine FA opens new Middle East office in Dubai

Updated 27 December 2024
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Argentine FA opens new Middle East office in Dubai

  • Body will now boast permanent base in region, office planned for Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: The Argentine Football Association has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a new office located in the UAE, and the current world champions are also expected to soon boast a similar presence in Saudi Arabia.

Leandro Petersen, the association’s chief commercial and marketing officer, and Pablo Diaz, head of its international relations, were in attendance at the office’s opening in Dubai.

Located at prime locations, the new offices will enable the Argentine FA to build strategic partnerships and elevate its profile both locally and regionally.

Petersen said: “The opening of a Middle East office is a huge moment for us as we look to establish a permanent presence in the region, giving us a platform to strengthen ties and enhance our current offerings.

“Naturally, having become world champions in Qatar, the Middle East is a region which means so much to not only the Argentinian Football Association, but the entire country, and we are delighted to have a base from where we can build important long-term relationships with both fans and businesses.

“This region is undoubtedly now one of the key global markets, and for us to be positioned in Dubai will open up many opportunities as we expand our presence on a global level.”

It was announced earlier this year that the Argentine FA had partnered with DUNE | 23, a leading UAE-based marketing and communications agency focused on the sport and entertainment sector.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Friday at the new DUNE | 23 offices in Dubai. The event was attended by managing partners Lloyd McMillan and Jamie Hosie, who joined Argentine FA representatives to mark the occasion.

Hosie said: “We are proud to partner with the Argentinian Football Association to strengthen its presence across the region.

“Together, we aim to create dynamic events, produce engaging digital content, and unlock new commercial opportunities to ensure the Argentinian FA remains at the forefront of football in the Middle East.”


Howe hopes Newcastle have ‘moved on’ in last two seasons

Updated 27 December 2024
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Howe hopes Newcastle have ‘moved on’ in last two seasons

  • Newcastle reached the Champions League for the first time in 20 years when they qualified for last season’s competition
  • Newcastle slipped to 12th place after a 4-2 defeat at Brentford on December 7, but have since rallied

LONDON: Eddie Howe hopes his current Newcastle team have “moved on” from the one which finished fourth in the Premier League two seasons ago.
The Magpies continued an impressive run of results on Thursday by beating 10-man Aston Villa 3-0 at St. James’ Park — their fourth straight win in all competitions.
Newcastle climbed to fifth in the table and within six points of second-placed Chelsea.
Newcastle reached the Champions League for the first time in 20 years when they qualified for last season’s competition.
“I’d hope we’ve moved on from that team,” Howe said.
“You can never go back in time and replicate what that team was. That team was an outstanding side...
“But you can never go back. It’s all about the future. We’ve signed some new players, the dynamic is slightly different and for me, the evolution of the team always had to be that we wanted to be better with the ball, we wanted to control the game more with the ball.”
Newcastle went ahead in just the second minute through Anthony Gordon’s strike before Villa striker Jhon Duran was controversially sent off.
Further goals from Alexander Isak — his 10th in as many league games — and Joelinton secured all three points.
Newcastle slipped to 12th place after a 4-2 defeat at Brentford on December 7, but have since rallied.
“We’re shooting for whatever we can shoot for,” Howe said when asked about Newcastle’s top-four hopes.
“We’ll take small steps, we’ll go game-by-game, but I’m really heartened by how the team is playing.”


Markram leads South Africa to 180-5 in 1st Test against Pakistan

Updated 27 December 2024
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Markram leads South Africa to 180-5 in 1st Test against Pakistan

  • Aiden Markram was batting on an attractive 81 off 123 balls before Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the latter half of the first session
  • Pakistan were dismissed for 211 on Day 1 after Dane Paterson grabbed his second successive five-wicket haul, Corbin Bosch claimed 4-63

CENTURION: Opening batter Aiden Markram closed in on his eighth Test century and led South Africa to 180-5 at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday.
South Africa, which needs to win one of the two Test matches against Pakistan to seal a place in the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s next year, trails the visitors by 31 on a pitch tailor-made for fast bowlers.
Markram was batting on an attractive 81 off 123 balls before Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the latter half of the first session with captain Temba Bavuma (31) and David Bedingham (30) both edging behind the wickets.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne was yet to score but Markram stood tall in the first session and helped South Africa score 98 runs before lunch for the loss of two wickets.
Resuming on 82-3, Markram completed his half century with an exquisite cover driven boundary off Naseem Shah and stretched the fourth-wicket stand to 70 runs with Bavuma before Pakistan got its first breakthrough.
Aamer Jamal was rewarded for his persistent length balls to Bavuma as the South African skipper finally got a thick outside edge while going for a loose drive.
Bedingham counterattacked from the onset, smashing five boundaries in his 33-ball knock and also survived when Pakistan unsuccessfully went for an lbw television review against Naseem Shah’s full pitched delivery, which television replays suggested would have missed the leg stump.
However, Naseem didn’t have to wait long as Bedingham was beaten by some extra bounce and nicked it in the first slip in the penultimate over before lunch.
Pakistan was dismissed for 211 on Day 1 after Dane Paterson (5-61) grabbed his second successive five-wicket haul and debutant Corbin Bosch claimed 4-63, which included a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket.