Dubai: Three high-profile tournaments will be held in the UAE with the launch of the Danube cricket series. Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Chairman of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and President of Emirates Cricket Board launched this series through a colourful function held at Palm Jumeirah.
Speaking after unveiling the three trophies for the tournaments, Shaikh Nahyan said: “It is great to be present at an event that will be building bridges between countries and cultures. Over 200 nationalities live in UAE and we are committed to give them prosperity, safety, security and health and so I wish the tournament all success.” The launch was conducted in the presence of Rizwan Sajan, Chairman and Founder, Danube Group, Anis Sajan, the Managing Director, Danube Group, who is the founder and Owner of Danube Lions team and Adel Sajan, Director, Danube Group and officials from all the cricket councils in the UAE and the Pakistan cricket team.
The series will include the second edition of the Danube Test Series starting at the ICC Academy from December 17 followed by a One-day tournament in January 2015 and Danube Diplomats Cup which will kick off the series at Insportz on November 28. All the events are being held under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council.
The Danube Test series carries a prize money of Dh225,000, making it one of UAE’s richest domestic events. The One-day series will see the participation of top teams like Eurocon Alubond, Grand Midwest Hotels, Alleppey Ripples and hosts Danube Lions. The Diplomats Cup, to be contested by diplomats and dignitaries of 10 nations, is being held to bring expatriates communities together. The UAE team will be lead by Waleed Bukhatir. Counsul Generals of New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan attended the launch along with David East, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Mazhar Khan, Administrator of ECB.
Waqar Younis, legendary pacer and coach of Pakistan team, Mushtaq Mohammad, star spinner and spin coach of Pakistan team, Moin Khan, Pakistan team manager and chief selector, skipper Misbah Ul Haq and in-form batsman Younis Khan attended the launch and presented Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography ‘Playing It My Way’ to the top officials. Pakistan players Asad Shafiq and Yasser Shah, who represent Danube Lions during their off season were also present.
“The objective of staging these three tournaments is to create a fitter and healthier sports culture here and give cricketers a strong platform to showcase their talent,” said Anis Sajan, who conceptualised this series.
