Outstanding cricketers in the UAE honoured

Dubai: The 14th edition of the Shyam Bhatia awards honoured the outstanding players and umpires from each of the cricket councils in the UAE through a function held at the India Club. Pakistan’s legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas presented the awards.

Unlike in the past where UAE’s most outstanding cricketers were picked based on scores and statistical details from tournaments in the UAE, this year players who were recommended by each council in the senior and junior divisions were presented with cash awards. In the absence of all the councils not providing sufficient data to the Dubai Cricket Council, under whose auspices this function is held, the prestigious UAE cricketer of the year, the best batsman, bowler and all-rounder awards winners could not be selected. Interestingly this is the only function that honours cricketers in the UAE for their outstanding performances.

The local cricket promoter Bhatia gave away a total of Dh27,000 in prize money this year. He had honoured players with cash awards of Dh214,000 over the last 13 years to encourage cricketers to give their best. He had also flown in legends of the game such as Clive Lloyd, Sunil Gavaskar, Imran Khan, Michael Holding, Ravi Shastri, Ian Chappell, Wasim Akram, Andrew Flintoff, Kapil Dev and Arjuna Ranatunga to inspire players to clinch the top awards.

During the awards function, the cricket museum created by Bhatia at his residence was praised by the Dubai Cricket Council officials, who urged everyone present to go and see it. Ironically, the DCC itself had urged Bhatia to change the venue function, which used to be held in front of the museum.

David East, the chief executive of the Emirates Cricket Board, recalled an incident from his playing days about how he was inspired by a pep talk from England wicketkeeper Alan Knott.

Meanwhile, Amjad Ali of United Bank Limited and Mohammad Shafiq of Abu Dhabi Gymkhana were given the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council’s best player awards in A and B division respectively.

Sharjah Cricket Council’s Abdul Shakoor of Afridi Club, Mohammad Azam of Eurocon and Dubai Cricket Council’s Swapnil Patil of Yogi Group and Saqib Ali of Ibsons and Ajman Council Nazir Aziz of Eurocon were awarded Dh1500 each. Due to all the councils not participating, the chances of outstanding performers in UAE’s domestic cricket winning the Dh4000 for the best player’s prize were lost.

The awards encouraged outstanding junior cricketers such as Justin D Souza of Abu Dhabi, Shorye Chopra of Dubai and Salah Shakeel of Sharjah for their performance in tournaments. A special award for the best lady cricketer in the UAE was given to Humaira Tasneen and umpire Akbar Ali, who officiated in a whopping 191 matches this season. Umpires Zaheer Al Haq, Syed Zargham and Tariq Butt also received awards.