"The next time you come to Abu Dhabi we hope it will be to play in an international tournament here," said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, speaking to the Indian cricket players who were in the capital on Tuesday
night at the invitation of Indian Ambassador K.C. Singh.
The entire Indian team, who are currently playing in Sharjah, attended a dinner reception at K.C. Singh's residence and this was the first time in over 15 years that the team had visited Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Nahyan along with Abdul Rahman Bukhatir of CBFS, Saeed Atiq of Abu Dhabi Cricket Club and many other cricket officials, diplomats and members of the Indian community attended.
Sheikh Nahyan chatted with Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad, skipper Sourav Ganguly and star batsman Sachin Tendulkar apart from other players and told
them of the progress of cricket in the Emirates.
Speaking to Gulf News later, Sheikh Nahyan said the stadium in the capital should be ready as the land and funds had been granted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and big time cricket was bound to make Abu Dhabi one of their stops.
"Work is beginning to gather pace and I hope the stadium and other facilities will help both the nationals and expatriates to enjoy the game," he said.
"The UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who has always stressed the role of sports in building the character of youth, is keen to promote all major sporting activities and cricket will no doubt be popular as many expatriates follow the game here," he added.
The Indian Ambassador, who is a keen sports enthusiast, thanked the Indian cricket board for allowing the players to make the trip to Abu Dhabi."We are delighted that Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak and Abdul Rahman Bukhatir attended and the cricket officials from all over the UAE met at a common platform here," Singh added.
"Despite a hectic schedule the Indian players obliged to come to Abu Dhabi from Sharjah and I thank them for this," he said.