UAE cricket team captain turns up for hockey tie

The UAE cricket team captain Saeed Al Saffar turned up to play hockey for the UAE national team in the Quaid-e-Azam Invitational hockey tournament at the Dubal hockey ground yesterday.

Saeed, with his elder brother, Faisal Al Saffar displayed excellent stick work and dribbled past some of the experienced expatriate players in the opposing teams to bring delight to the nationals in the newly formed UAE team.

"I knew Faisal and Saeed from school days in Bombay and I have played hockey with them. Moreover, Faisal had played with me for Dubal here and so I invited both of them to play in this tournament," remarked Ahmed Al Sayegh, the skipper of the UAE team.

Saeed, the only national to score a double century for UAE in an international cricket match, revealed about his love for hockey.

"I played hockey while studying at St Peter's School in Bombay. We had a good Physical Education teacher and he taught us the right basics. Though my main interest was cricket I used to play in inter schools hockey tournaments," said Saeed.

"I continued playing hockey while at St Xavier's College Bombay. I also played first division football there. However, after reaching Dubai I used to go with two of my friends Denzil D'Gama and Kevin Otter and play hockey at the Darjeeling Club," added Saeed.

"I enjoy playing all sports and hockey is really good to improve stamina. I am happy that a lot of nationals have come forward to play this game," remarked Saeed, who believes that there is a lot of similarity between cricket and hockey.
"Playing cricket helps a hockey player tremendously. Like in cricket one has to keep an eye on the ball and also while playing the stroke the head has to be over the ball. Hockey being a faster game will help one to improve stamina, which is also beneficial for cricket.

"I would like to practice more as well as play in more hockey tournaments," said Saeed, who recently helped UAE shock Australia in the Hong Kong Sixes cricket tournament with a whirlwind knock.

Saeed's elder brother Faisal, who works for Dugas, also began playing hockey at St Peter's. "I used to play regularly but then hardly got to practice anywhere. I am happy to be back in action and hope to practice regularly," said Faisal.

"We are impressed with the Al Saffar brothers' talent . Saeed and Faisal would be a great asset for the national team. Practice facilities and matches would be provided to them soon," assured Raza Abidi, co-ordinator of the UAE Hockey Committee.