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‘ICC has failed cricket fans by not supporting game in past two yrs’

DUBAI — While the UAE authorities are doing their utmost to promote all sporting activity in the country — and this includes cricket too — the International Cricket Council (ICC) that has its headquarters here “should do more to promote cricket through the high-profile and well-placed Emirati clubs here”.

This was the overwhelming sentiment in response to the Khaleej Times report yesterday highlighting the need for ICC to provide some incentives to promote cricket here, even as it is essentially a regulatory body.

The ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed and his officials could have reached out to these local clubs and offered the local boys some incentives to uplift the standard of cricket in the country, respondents felt, while admitting that there are other agencies to take care as well.

The ICC have been headquartered here for the past two years and this has been a long-enough period for them to encourage and develop cricket in a country they chose to move to after many years of having its base in London.

It would have been a good gesture, for the game's sake, if the ICC officials contributed towards development of the game in a city where cricket is very popular. That would have added to their prestige too.

Cricket fans noted that the ICC has chosen to be based in a city where 60 per cent of the people know cricket. The Emaratis are familiar with the game since the Britishers ruled here for a long period. By interacting with local (Emarati) clubs and encouraging the boys there would have been an ideal way for ICC officials to win many more friends and, thus, contribute to the game in the Emirates in a meaningful manner.

If Malcolm Speed has made some efforts in this direction, no one knows about it. He has perhaps kept off the media. Is he media shy?", one respondent asked.

Another respondent noted: "These clubs are rich and have adequate facilities for everything. They do not need money. What they require is only encouragement and incentives to play the game. ICC could have done that".

“What Malcolm Speed and his men, perhaps, could do is to go and meet the directors of the Emarati clubs and motivate them and the boys regarding the gentleman's game".

Meanwhile, Khaleej Times contacted some cricketing personalities regarding the development and direction of cricket here.

One International Cricket Council (ICC) official declined to comment on the issue when asked by this newspaper. Regarding development of cricket in UAE he said: "Ask the ECB (Emirates Cricket Board)."

ECB Chief Selector Abdul Razzaq Kazim, said: "ICC can't do anything directly to develop the game in the UAE. First of all, they are here for economic reasons".

"The ECB has done nothing to secure a ground for players in Dubai. If ECB is serious, it can buy a piece of land where three or four grounds can be developed for the youth to carry on the activities."

Tariq Butt, one of the most senior umpires in the UAE, said: "This is a wake-up call to find a solution to the problem.

An Emarati cricket fan said: "We know a lot about cricket as this part of the world was ruled by the British. What we need now is some encouragement and moral support, and this can come from the ICC who are based here."

Sarmad Khan, a cricket enthusiast, said: "The ICC have been developing the game since it came into being as they have plans to organise off-shore matches in North America and in other parts of the world to popularise the game.

"The ICC can be a helping hand to the ECB though it has limitations to help develop the game locally.

He added: “There are individuals who can play a role in the cricketing affairs in the UAE but it can happen only when they have been given some incentive.

"The ICC could have looked into this aspect and given guidance."