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25 Years at the Crease… and Batting Strong

For a man who has been instrumental in putting the UAE on the global map over the past quarter of a century this is a very special time. On the one hand, the famous Sharjah Cricket Stadium, home to the CBFS series that spawned the game in the desert in 1983 and gave one-day cricket a major boost, celebrates its 200^th one-dayer on Thursday when Canada play Afghanistan.

On the other, the baton has been passed on to a state-of-the-art stadium in Dubai, arguably the most advanced cricket facility in the world. And he is central to both enterprises.

Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, custodian of cricket, is that exceptional man.

Both wistful from memories of the past and proud of the potential in the future, he talked to Khaleej Times with his usual candour and commitment to keeping the ball rolling in his capacity as a Partner in the Dubai Sports Stadium.

“My passion for cricket began at a very early age and I did not miss an opportunity to watch a game at any level in the subcontinent. I did develop a keen eye for talent and have made many a remark about young, unknown players as I watched them go through their paces, and my assessments have hit the mark.

“In many cases they rose to great heights. I still do that and it is that love for the game which has given me the confidence to keep the flame alive and I have enjoyed every minute since that first trial game in 1983.

“Now, in the modern context, it is a matter of profound satisfaction to welcome new teams to the Dubai Sports City stadium. With every such tournament, be it a one-dayer or a Twenty20, the stadium gets an opportunity to be placed on a global stage with half a billion people watching on TV and this exposure underscores its impressive façade and the facilities it provides. Every cricketer or official I have met has been fascinated by a visit to the stadium.

“I am delighted that England has accepted this invitation. That is one team that gets a great following being literally the nation that gave us the game and I am hopeful that the expat community will come in large numbers to see their boys take on a Pakistan side eager to prove itself.

“But let me say one thing here. The victory for Afghanistan was over UAE, I would have liked us to win but if we had to lose I am glad it was to a country that needs support and some good news. If sport ever has to display a healing touch, it is now. It is through healthy competition that we can build the bridges that are so needed to be built.”

“I am happy that Thursday is the 200^th match and we are still the number one stadium in the world in Sharjah. Which is why, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the trinity, I foresee the UAE hosting a major tournament in the near future. With the ICC headquartered here it is just a question of time. And we are ready for it.

“Three world class venues can provide the logistics needed to stage such a tournament. We intend to get every cricket playing nation to enjoy this incredible experience of playing under the ‘magic ring’ of lights, something you cannot appreciate until you see it. This weekend the cricket lovers have two occasions to have a thoroughly good time.”

“We have great plans. Hopefully, South Africa will be playing here this year and, yes, we have a three-way international concept on the anvil and that can then grow into the ultimate dream of a World Cup one day, nothing is impossible. “

“One of the reasons for a long-term strategy is that the top teams have very crowded schedules and they are planned well in advance. Therefore, getting a slot is not easy and we have to start with short blocks before extending the range in time terms.”

“Of course, we would love to have India and Pakistan play in front of the most bi-partisan crowds of any venue in the world and it will happen one day. And, as I have said before, if Pakistan wishes to adopt the DSC as its home ground for the interim, we are only too glad to extend our co-operation. Sport is paramount.”

“Let me express a very important sentiment. It has been said that sports pages are the ones that celebrate man’s achievements and that fact, in itself, seems a compelling reason for media to come forward and join hands in sporting ventures of the international kind. Send the right message out and see how it impacts on creating goodwill.”

patrick@khaleejtimes.com