Dubai: Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), on Friday revamped the ECB board with the aim of broadening representation of member councils.
Dilawar Mani, president of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, was named the new ECB chief executive.
"It's a great challenge and honour to take up this post. We have ensured a fair representation of all the councils on the board," Mani told Gulf News.
The new board members are Omar Al Askari of Abu Dhabi, Ahmad Mohammad Al Midfa and Waleed Bukhatir representing the Sharjah Cricket Council, Mohammad Redha Abbas and Khalid Zarouni of Dubai, and Ali Abdullah Alwan of Ajman.
Abdul Rahman Bukhatir had been chairman ever since the board was instituted and became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 1989. His son Waleed Bukhatir, chairman of the Al Dhaid Cricket Village, will become the youngest member of the board.
"I am very proud and it is a big responsibility on my shoulders. I will strive hard to lift UAE cricket to the next level," said Waleed, who is a fine allrounder and represents the ECB Greens team in domestic cricket.
"My father has worked to promote cricket and that has inspired me to become a cricket lover and I will follow [in] his footsteps. My aim will be to work towards helping UAE clinch One-day status and play in the World Cup," he added.
According to information, the ECB has been revamped as per the guidelines of the UAE General Authority of Youth and Sports which mandates that the board should comprise UAE nationals.
It is understood that Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, who was vice-chairman of the ECB, chose not to be a member of the board since he would be representing two sports bodies. Falaknaz is already a board member of the tennis association. He will however remain chairman of the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC).
Mohammad Redha Abbas of DCC said: "I will continue to serve the game as I have been serving the game for the last 40 years.
Ali Abdullah Alwan is president of the Ajman Cricket Council and chief of police in Ajman. Omar Al Askari is a businessman and fine golfer while Khalid Zarooni is president of Dubai Sports City.
Ahmad Mohammad Al Midfa has been president of the Sharjah Cricket Council for many years.
Do you think revamping will be able to further promote cricket in the UAE? What would be needed for the UAE team to gain one-day status?
Your comments
I love cricket this is very good step for UAE cricket Team
for getting the one day status they will work hard and appoint new youngester in the team and they can think on win and think that we can beat any team in the world
if they think they have a bat in the hand they can make the runs.
I love very much cricket
Zeeshan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 12:23
I think we need a UAE national who shall lead the country and bring up the youth of the country have a vision on how to devlop the cricket door by door city to city where ever a national kid is.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 30, 2009, 01:12
