Dubai: With the aim of catching them young, the Desert Cubs Cricket Academy (DCCA) has launched a cricket tournament for children under the age of 12 which starts today, under the auspices of the Sharjah Cricket Council.
"The tournament is free for all participants," said Presley Polonnowita, head coach at the DCCA.
"We are organising for the under-12 children as we feel that it is the right age to be introduced into cricket competition.
"The matches will be played in Al Dhaid and Sharjah on grass surfaces and the final will be at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium."
Ten teams comprising acadamies and schools will compete in the event which will be known as DCCA Challenger Cup.
"We are thankful to Mazhar Khan, the chief administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board, for his support and Sunil Israni for the financial backing to stage an all free tournament," Polonnowita said.
Mobil Cup
Meanwhile, the Dubai Cricket Council organised Mobil Cup produced four centuries at The Sevens.
Sandeep Singh of Rosy Blue was the highest scorer of the day with 127 runs including 17 fours and five sixes against Rapco.
But he was unfortunate to finish on the losing side as all six Rapco top order batsmen contributed as they race past the target of 267 with nine balls to spare.
Other centurions were Irfan Ali who hit 108 runs but he too finished on the losing side as Interface Transworlds opener Pranav Arora played a scintillating knock of 103 runs in 54 balls to win the match.
Avadoot Amonkar of Yogi Group made short work of the target of 160 runs set by Dubai Islamic Bank, hitting 12 fours and four sixes in his knock of 102.
