Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Cricket Academy will provide a unique cricket experience for budding cricketers in the UAE from April 27 at the Dubai Sports City's international cricket stadium.
"We are currently coaching in schools five days a week and also conducting Satellite Coaching Programs in Abu Dhabi and Deira during the weekends. These grass roots sessions have been highly successful but we feel that we need to extend the more talented players," remarked Dayle Hadlee, Head Coach of the ICC Global Academy to Gulf News.
"Different age groups will be provided training with hard balls at the Dubai Sports City's International Cricket stadium under the direction of internationally qualified and experienced coaches like Mudassar Nazar [Pakistan Test player] and me. The first five two-and-a-half-hour sessions will include net training, fielding, fitness and video analysis, with the final session being a Twenty20 game under lights at the stadium," he said.
"We have attempted to find a major sponsor for this proposal so that talented players, regardless of their financial constraints, could attend. Unfortunately this did not eventuate so we will now open the offer on a user pays basis, where we will charge Dh250 per session [Dh1,500 for six sessions]. We have received a generous offer from Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Sanlam Investment Emerging Market to provide ten sponsorship positions to most talented players," added Hadlee, who is a former New Zealand Test player.
"We need to promote this experience urgently as time is short before the searing summer sun makes it difficult for training. The sessions for ages 12 to 13 will be on April 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25 and 28. Ages 14 to 15 on April 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26 and 28 and for ages 16 to 17 on April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27 and 28. Sessions will commence from 4pm and players must register by April 25 through email mitchellek@dxbsport.com or call 04- 4481250," said Hadlee.
The sessions for ages 12 to 13 will be on April 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25 and 28. Ages 14 to 15 on April 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26 and 28 and for ages 16 to 17 on April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27 and 28. Sessions will commence from 4pm and players must register by April 25 through email mitchellek@dxbsport.com or call 04- 4481250
