Gulf News

Dubai, Jun 14: Efforts are on to secure grounds for the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) which had to vacate its premises from the Al Jidaf area, earlier this month.

Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, the chairman of the DCC, has held talks with Dubai Development authorities for the relocation of the lost grounds.

The DCC had to surrender seven cricket grounds for the construction of the Dubai Health City.

"The DCC's request to get land for the cricket grounds has been presented before the authorities. I held a meeting with Saeed Al Muntafiq, the Director General, Dubai Development and Investment authority," said Falaknaz.

"The feedback from him has been very positive and hopefully the grounds will be relocated at the earliest."

Falaknaz appreciated Abdul Rehman Bukhatir's initiative to procure land for eight grounds in Al Dhaid.

According to Bukhatir: "With the construction of eight grounds in Al Dhaid and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium there will be nine grounds in the region.

"In addition, the completion of the Dubai Sports City cricket ground and the Abu Dhabi cricket ground, UAE will have 12 grounds for the game."

Bukhatir to Set up Cricket Village 

Gulf News

Sharjah: There is happy news for cricket lovers in the UAE.

At a time when cricket grounds have been fast disappearing from different part of the UAE, eight new cricket grounds will be built near Sharjah, thanks to Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, the man who brought international cricket to the UAE.

Bukhatir has secured land near Al Dhaid for the construction of the eight cricket grounds.

"These grounds will be easily accessible for the cricketers from Sharjah, Dubai and Ajman. It is only a 25-minute drive from all these places and it is easily accessible due to the highways connected from all the emirates," said Bukhatir.

The move follows the dwindling number of cricket grounds in the UAE in the wake of the booming commercial development that the city is experiencing.

"Cricket should go on and everything needs to be done to ensure that the game is played without a break," added Bukhatir.

According to Bukhatir this venue will be like a village as it is located amidst beautiful date palm trees.

"This will be one of our permanent cricket venues and cricketers need not fear this place being taken away by the Municipality. It is being clearly ear marked for the game," added Bukhatir.

With palm trees and farms around the venue it will have an atmosphere of village cricket. It will be much cooler than the cities and players will be able to rest under mango trees and palm trees," said Bukhatir.

The grounds are to set to be ready by October before the start of the new season.

Initially all the pitches will be made of cement. Later on green turfs will be created.

According to information, these grounds will be easy to maintain as the land in Al Dhaid has a reputation of being very fertile. The area is famous for farms cultivating an impressive range of vegetables and fruits.

The area is likely to known as a cricket village and is set to emerge as a centre of excellence for the game soon.