Nahyan reiterates his support for cricket

Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), reiterated the country's support for cricket and hoped more nationals will start taking up the game.

Shaikh Nahyan, who visited the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council's stand at the Abu Dhabi International Sports Exhibition at ADNEC yesterday, said the UAE's proximity to the sub-continent countries where cricket is passionately pursued was one of the reasons.

"Cricket is also a game that connects the world together. It has a huge following and the sport enjoys one of the biggest viewership around the world," he told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

It was the first time that a cricket stand was put up during a major show here in the UAE and quite a few young locals visited and took a look at the playing gear.

"And because of our relationship with the sub-continent we are encouraging it here in the UAE. There is a big following for the game here in the UAE," he said.

"Sport itself is changing and so too in cricket we have many changes with club events (IPL), international T20s all part of that change.

"I am glad cricket has picked up here. We want to be part of the cricket world. We encourage cricket because it helps put the UAE on the international sporting map," Shaikh Nahyan said.

Big teams

"In the recent past we have seen the world Test champions England and Pakistan play a series of matches here. Almost all the big cricket nations have played international cricket in the UAE.

"Tournaments at the international, national and club level are being played all the time here and there is a lot of activity. That is a sign of the popularity of the game here. We have committed ourselves to support and back it.

"We are also trying to encourage locals to take part in cricket. We had three UAE national juniors in the UAE team and one of them is highly talented. Now with the cricket academy and with more facilities and inter-school events that [more locals playing cricket] will happen soon," the UAE cricket chief said.