Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC) is set to expand its activities following a huge leap in the number of clubs in the emirates.
Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of ADCC’s annual dinner function held at the Shangri-La Hotel on Sunday evening to honour all the clubs that compete in their tournaments, Shahnawaz Hakim Yousuf - Operations Manager and Tournament Director of the Council - said: “We have 60 registered clubs now who participate in our tournaments. Every year, we host 10 tournaments but with the completion of our two fully-grassed Oval grounds with turf wickets adjacent to the Shaikh Zayed Stadium, we now plan to host more tournaments. These two Oval grounds and the Shaikh Zayed Stadium’s main ground and the seven cement grounds around the stadium will stage more tournaments to accommodate more clubs to play in our tournaments regularly.”
The council has now plans to install floodlights in the Oval grounds too. “With floodlight facilities in Shaikh Zayed Stadium as well as in the two turf grounds, day-night tournaments will be held regularly,” added Shahnawaz.
Wajahat Hussain, the ADCC president announced that soon the two Oval grounds will also host One Day International matches like the Shaikh Zayed Stadium. “We will probably become the very few cricket venues in the world which will have three ODI status grounds in the same complex,” said Hussain.
The ADCC’s Shaikh Zayed Stadium had already won the reputation of having trialled the use of pink ball that could lead to the future day-night Test matches. “We have already hosted three tournament finals with pink ball. Our council also hosts the Gulf Technical Techaccess tournament which is an A division tournament involving 16 teams. With 50 overs, Twenty20 overs and inter school tournaments for Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 our activities are increasing,” said Shahnawaz.
The ADCC also acknowledged the efforts of their past presidents. Present at the function were Omar Yousuf who was the first president of the ADCC when the council was established in 1989. “We would not have reached such a positon but for the efforts of our presidents Omar Yousuf, Mansoor Javed, B.R. Shetty, Dilawar Mani and Wajahat Hussain, who all worked tirelessly for our progress,” remarked Inamul-ul-Haq, General Secretary of the ADCC since inception.
Shahnawaz, who was instrumental in organising the tournaments for over 25 years, received a standing ovation from the clubs. Hussain appreciated the contribution of former President B.R. Shetty, who despite not holding any administrative posts now, have been consistently sponsoring their many tournaments including the inter schools tournaments. David East, the Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Cricket Board who was present was appreciated for his support. The council also encourages budding cricketers through not only their tournaments but also the MCC-Zayed Cricket Academy in the stadium which coaches 300 young cricketers regularly.
