Emirates Cricket Board reconstitute committee

Dubai: The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), the body which controls cricket in the UAE, has been reconstituted.

Following a meeting of the ECB, held in Abu Dhabi under the chairmanship of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, on Saturday, a five-member committee has been formed in place of the 13-member board.

Shaikh Nahyan, who is the honourary chairman of the ECB, is set to become the President of the ECB.

The five members of the newly formed committee are: Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, the president of the ECB, Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, Ahmad Al Midfa, Omar Al Askari and Dr Ebrahim Esmail.

The committee is yet to be given a name.

"We had a meeting with Shaikh Nahyan, who is our honorary chairman and it was decided that hereafter he will be the president of the board," Falaknaz, who was the vice president of the ECB, told Gulf News.

Falaknaz is also the chairman of the Dubai Cricket Council and will now be a member of the five-member committee.

"The new committee will formulate policies and future plans for UAE cricket and will submit the proposals to Shaikh Nahyan for his approval," said Falaknaz.

All the members of the new committee are associated with cricket in the UAE. Ahmad Al Midfa is the president of the Sharjah Cricket Council, while Omar Al Askari and Ebrahim Esmail are involved with Abu Dhabi and Ajman cricket respectively.

"One of the main objectives of the committee is to take cricket to various schools in the UAE and attract nationals to the game. The new committee will present their recommendations with regard to spreading the game soon," said Falaknaz.

"The committee under Shaikh Nahyan will meet again after a month to discuss the various recommendations," added Falaknaz.

When asked whether there was a discussion on the recent outbursts made by chief selector Abdul Razzaque Kazim last month, Falaknaz said: "We did and Kazim can now make recommendations to the committee for the improvement of the game."

Kazim had alleged that the ECB lacked transparency.

On whether a new selection committee is being formed, Falaknaz said: "This will all be part of the new recommendations to be made by the committee."

On whether the head quarters of the ECB will now be shifted from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi, Falaknaz said, "No decision has been taken on the matter.

"It may happen only if the President feels that it should be shifted there," said Falaknaz.

Shaikh Nahyan, who is the honourary chairman of the ECB, is set to become the President of the ECB

FACTFILE

• The Emirates Cricket Board was constituted on May 3, 1989.
• The Emirates Cricket Board is a member of the Asian Cricket Council from 1983.
• The Emirates Cricket Board is an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1991.

Profile of the five members:

Abdul Rehman Bukhatir: Known as father of cricket in the UAE, brought international cricket to UAE as the president of the ECB and chairman of the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series. A partner of the oncoming Dubai Sports City.

Abdul Rehman Falaknaz: Chairman of the Dubai Cricket Council, vice president of the ECB since 1989, partner Dubai Sports City, Financial Manager of National Olympic Committee and Vice President of UAE Tennis Association.

Ahmad Al Midfa: Chairman of Sharjah Cricket Council and former vice president of UAE Football Association

Omar Al Askari: Was one of the main organisers of the recent India-Pakistan friendship series in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Ebrahim Esmail: Associated with cricket in Ajman.