DCC to stage U-15 Inter-Academy tourney

Ardent cricket supporter Shyam Bhatia went one step further in his contribution to the sport with his announcement that the Cricket for Care Inter-Academy Cricket Tournament for Under-15 children along with Mohamed Lokhandwala, Honorary Secretary of Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) at his cricket museum.

Bhatia who completed the Awards ceremony a few days back was happy to announce cricket for children who are close to his heart.

He said: “I have been trying my best to help out with cricket for children in different parts of the world by sending cricket kits to most cricket playing countries so that the under privileged children have an opportunity to play the game the correct way. It was the right thing to do by starting something at home in Dubai. I would like to say to all the academies that please put your heart and soul in your coaching and let the children play a lot of cricket, then only will they learn faster and be better cricketers. That is one of the reasons why we are doing a 25-over tournament instead of the T20 format that is the craze today,” he said.

Lokhandwala briefed all the team managers and head coaches who had assembled at the draws saying, “We have ten academies from all over UAE who have confirmed and they will be divided into two groups and play against each other. The top two teams will go through to the knock-out semifinals and beyond.”

The cut-off date to qualify for this tournament is that the child should be born after 1st January, 1996 and the organisers will ensure this is strictly followed to avoid unfair play.
They have asked all the academies to submit passport copies of all their players and any protests will be looked into and if required we will need to check the original passport.

Draw:
Group A - Zayed Cricket Academy, Abu Dhabi, Young Talent Cricket Academy, Emirates Cricket Training, Dubai, Desert Cub Cricket Academy and Unique Cricket Training, Sharjah.
Group B - Sharjah Cricket Academy, Maxway Institute for Cricket Training, G Force Cricket Academy, Emirates Cricket Training, Sharjah and Al Ain Sportsplex.

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