Sport | Cricket
UAE may miss vital exposure in Asia
Television revenue projections cast a shadow over associate nations
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:00 November 30, 2009
DubaiL The UAE cricket team's chance to play in two major international tournaments may be badly hit due to the ongoing global recession.
According to sources, UAE may miss out on playing in the prestigious Asia Cup and even the Asian Games in China.
Such a decision is likely to be taken by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) because television broadcasters are unsure of generating advertisement revenue for the matches involving associate nations due to the ongoing recession.
The top three associate member nations from the ongoing ACC Twenty20 Championship were supposed to play in the Asian Games but their prospects now appear bleak.
UAE, by reaching the final of ACC Twenty20 Championship final, have clinched one of the three places along with Afghanistan, who have also made it to the final.
UAE and Oman had also qualified to play in the Asia Cup to be held in June next year. This would have given UAE a chance to play against Test-playing nations like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The venue is expected to be either Colombo or Kuala Lumpur.
Though a final decision on this matter is yet to be taken, according to information, the decisions will in all likelihood go against any associate countries taking part in the Asian Games or Asia Cup.
The ACC executive committee meeting, which is to be held on December 24, is expected to take a final decision in this matter.
The Asia Cup could thus turn out to be a lean event with only four Test-playing nations taking part.
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