Dubai: Young Talent Cricket Academy will set a new mark for the UAE on Saturday, when they will become the first academy to tour England for 15 consecutive years.
Shahzad Altaf, the former UAE all-rounder and head coach of the YTCA, told Gulf News: “We have toured 15 times without a break, which is a special achievement.
“This year the touring team has been divided into under-13s, under-17s and senior teams and will reach Newcastle on Saturday. Our matches have been fixed against county and club teams from Durham and was have ensured that all matches are played on turf.”
The academy made it a memorable occasion for the touring players through a capping ceremony held in front of parents and officials at the Skyline College in Sharjah.
When away, the academy will participate in a tournament to be organised by Durham County Cricket Club. Matches have also been lined up against Durham, South Shields and the Zayed Cricket Academy from Abu Dhabi.
Speaking at the capping ceremony, Altaf said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters to travel and have a unique experience of playing cricket in tough overseas conditions against some high quality oppositions. The tour will put the lads to the test of playing on natural turf wickets, something they are not accustomed to here.”
Elaborating on the tournament, Altaf added: “The under-13 and under-17 tournaments will feature four teams each and matches will be played on a round-robin basis, with the top two contesting the final. Immediately on landing we have also organised a few warm-up matches before the tournament.”
The sponsors of the tour are Gulf Petrochem, Unicare Medical Centre and Mega Gulf Transport Dubai.
