Dubai: Anis Sajan, who shaped one of the strongest indoor cricket teams in the UAE, will be the mentor of the India indoor team that will participate in the 10th edition of the World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) World Cup, scheduled to be held from September 16 to 23 at Dubai’s Insportz Club.
Sajan is the owner and mentor of the Danube indoor cricket team that has dominated in all indoor tournaments for two decades.
He joins India Test star Sandeep Patil, who has already been named as the brand ambassador of the Indian team.
Speaking to Gulf News, Abdul Latif Khan, chairman, Petromann Events that will manage the Indian team, said: “Sajan has done a lot to enrich the domestic structure in the UAE by encouraging many talented cricketers and providing many players with excellent facilities to improve. The Indian team could not have asked for anyone better to provide them with guidance at this showpiece event.”
The 10th edition of the Indoor Cricket World Cup will attract approximately 400 players and officials from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and the host UAE, apart from India. This weeklong tournament will be held in partnership with Cricket Australia (CA) and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
Sajan, commenting on his appointment, said: “My brother (Rizwan Sajan) and I look forward to give something back to society with our enthusiasm for cricket. I have always believed that if you have passion when combined with knowledge and fuelled by resources you can become a force to reckon. That is exactly what I will be sharing with the Indian squad.”
Sajan follows the motto: ‘Learn from your failures and never give up in life.’ Thus he endorsed the Danube indoor and outdoor cricket teams which became top teams in the UAE.
Sagittarius Strikers, a Masters Champions League (MCL) side, was also owned by Sajan.
The Strikers were led by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and had players like former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena and former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond.
The India Indoor Sports Federation has entrusted XLR8 to select, train and prepare the Indian cricket team for all indoor tournaments.
Australia are reigning indoor World Cup champions.
