Dubai: The Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) has launched their first-ever women’s cricket league to be held from mid October. The decision is a shot in the arm for women’s cricket in the region, especially in the light of UAE women’s team having recently emerged as champions in the GCC tournament held in Oman.

Announcing details, Shoeb Mujlani, DCC’s Convener for Special Projects, said: “This tournament is the brainchild of our council chairman Abdul Rehman Falaknaz. He wanted the council to step forward and promote cricket among women through a league. We could not get any sponsors for this league and hence the council will absorb all the costs. We are also not collecting any entry fee from the participating teams.”

The DCC is hoping to attract sponsorship from the next edition, as it was a fresh initiative. “Lack of sponsorship did not deter us from going ahead with our plans. We will conduct this league like all our other tournaments and distribute coloured clothing for all players. The league will take off with three teams including Sharjah Cricket Academy, ICC Cricket Academy and GM Cricket Academy.

Speaking to Gulf News after the announcement, UAE women’s team coach Mohammad Hyder Ali said: “Such tournaments are very important for women’s cricket in the UAE as future stars come through such events. I thank Dubai Council for creating such an opportunity for women to display their skills.”

Manvi Dhodhi, a qualified coach and UAE women’s team manager, said: “Such tournaments give not only the core group but also the fringe players among UAE women cricketers a chance to display their talents. Since there is no proper domestic structure for women’s cricket, such initiative from regional cricket councils will help in grassroot development.”

The league will follow a Twenty20 format and will be played at the Fairgrounds, Men’s College in Academic City. “Most of the matches will be day-night contests starting from 7pm but we may also host day matches from 8am on some days. This league will commence from mid October and there will be special prizes for best batswoman, best bowler and woman of the series,” said Shiva Pagarani, convener media, finance and administration of the Dubai Cricket Council.

Ameen Farooq, the secretary of the DCC announced the commencement of the Elite Cup 50 over tournament for top UAE teams. “This is our flagship tournament and the best teams will compete in it. To give exposure to the future stars of the UAE, we have included an Emirates Cricket Board Blues under-19 team and DCC Select XI made up of UAE-born cricketers.”

Group A will be made up of Danube Lions, DCC Select XI, Globelink Westar Shipping and Team Interface, while Group B comprises Ibsons Cricket Club, ECB Blues, Alubond Tigers and Fly Emirates.