Nasir, championing the cause of cricket

Nasir Ramadan at the HKZS Youth World Cup Final.

Nasir Ramadan has been grooming young cricketers and furthering the art of cricket in the UAE. Having never played a game all his life, a microphone is all he needs to get a 'cricket' match going.
The England-based realtor has been shaping many young cricketers' lives with his HKSZ Cricket Academy.
'Catch them young' is an oft-repeated phrase in cricketing circles, and the passionate Nasir wants to take it further with 'Make them stars'.
On Friday, Nasir was at it again as he encouraged players from the sidelines. 
"I believe that interacting personally and diligently is imperative in life to attain visionary goals," the 44-year-old told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the HKZS Youth World Cup Final in Dubai.
"That's why I make it a point to be on the ground with a microphone in hand, to raise the confidence level of players even though my academy boasts of Level 3 coaches. People are sometimes shocked to see a successful realtor taking to the field."
A brainchild of Nasir, the HKZS Youth World Cup pitted four teams - one from India, one from Pakistan and one team each from ICC Academy and HKSZ Cricket Academy.
The teams were contesting for the title in four categories at Dubai's ICC Cricket Academy indoor stadium.
The Indian team comprises players from the Jalandhar-based Harbhajan Singh Institute of Cricket while Pakistan is represented by players from Karachi-based Moin Khan Cricket Academy. The rest of the teams comprise of underprivileged kids from England, who have been flown in by Nasir all the way from the UK.
Having come up the hard way in life, Nasir understands the value of compassion and support for the needy. And this quality has helped him extend a helping hand to several youngsters.
Bearing all the expenses of the teams for the month-long Dubai tour is no mean feat, but Nasir shows his modest side as he says that it is his way of giving back to the society.
"Talent comes from the streets and these people cannot afford to pay for training. So, for the last four years, I have made it a point to sponsor players from this section," Nasir said.
It is his love for Dubai, according to Nasir, that makes him get teams from England and play in the UAE. "More than a decade ago, my kids started playing cricket on their first tour to Dubai. So, I have special inclination for this city. This year, we have four teams besides the support staff, including three coaches. We have a big training set-up in England,'' he said.
After the indoor round, the teams will again battle it out from Sunday with matches spread all across the UAE.