Getting started with the long innings

Dubai: Cricket is among the most popular sports in the UAE, especially among the expatriates. Every other young Indian, Pakistani or Sri Lankan dreams of becoming a Sachin Tendulkar, a Shoaib Akhtar or a Mahela Jayawardene.

The game is followed with such passion that youngsters are just as keen about sharpening their skills as they are about playing it.

The seven grounds of the Dubai Cricket Council hardly ever went empty, until they made way to facilitate construction of Dubai Health City. Other emirates too have put in place infrastructure for budding young cricketers to hone their skills.

The Sharjah Cricket Council with its academy at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has done well to this end. The Abu Dhabi Council too has been in the thick of things with its academy at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Former players

The immense popularity of the game has seen a slew of private cricket academies springing up as well. Many former cricketers have turned coaches and are playing a key role in spotting and grooming talented young players. Many youngsters have gone on to represent the UAE in international matches.

These academies also invite top international cricketers to hold short camps every now and then. Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad, former India player and MRF Pace Foundation chief coach T.A. Sekar, former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh, and former Indian cricket team coach Lalchand Rajput have all conducted camps in the UAE. Late former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer used to be a regular visitor at the Insportz cricket academy.

Some of the cricket academies not only provide coaching but take the training process one step further, introducing their wards to the experience of playing in countries like England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India. The Young Talents Cricket Academy regularly stages tournaments in England.

The Emirates Cricket Board regularly sends former players who have evinced interest in taking up coaching to attend coaching courses conducted by the Asian Cricket Council. Most of these cricketers have now set up academies and coaching centres.

Coaching: Following your dream

• Sharjah Cricket Academy of Sharjah Cricket Council: 06 543 3154.
• Zayed Cricket Academy of Abu Dhabi Cricket Council: 02 558 8331.
• Young Talent Cricket Academy in Dubai and Sharjah; contact Shehzad Altaf: 050 634 6925
• Emirates Cricket Training Centre at Al Qusais; contact Shakeel Latif: 050 497 3461
• Jairaj Thakur coaching centre, Dubai: 050 695 5284.
• T.R. Singh coaching centre, Dubai: 050 635 6423.
• Cricketlovers.com academy, Dubai; contact Gopal Jasapara:050 4559083.
• Maxtalent cricket academy, Sharjah; contact Sudhakar: 050 625 1547.
• Insportz Coaching Centre, Dubai: 04 347 5833.