Cricket officials welcome Emirates' initiative

Dubai: The top cricket officials in the UAE welcomed Emirates airlines decision to create seven grounds.

"The news of the new grounds is a big boost for the young cricketers in the UAE. If only cricket is played regularly will the standard of the game improve and also attract UAE nationals into the game," said Hayat Yar Khan, the secretary of the Dubai Cricket Council told Gulf News.

Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board too welcomed the decision. "The more the cricket the better it is for UAE cricket. Anyone who comes forward to support the game needs to be applauded."

Mohammad Lokhandwala, the convener of the Dubai Cricket Council, said: "It is a dream cum true for the cricket fans in Dubai. We were reaching a stage of losing hope of having any grounds. It is indeed a great move by the Emirates airline which has always supported cricket in the region."

Farookh Siddiqui, the organiser of DCC tournaments said: "Dubai stages the maximum number of tournaments in the UAE. We could produce the most number of players for the UAE team because matches and tournaments used to be held regularly in our grounds. Emirates, by creating these grounds will be able to contribute heavily towards the promotion of the game in the region.

"The DCC could not stage their popular inter school tournament for the last two years due to lack of grounds. Even the Emirates airline trophy hosted by DCC had stopped," added Siddiqui.