Kuwait Cricket

Kuwait Cricket Academy Inaugurated with Great Fanfare More than 160 boys participated from all over Kuwait

Kuwait, Wed.27 th Jan.2010.

The General Secretary and Treasurer of Kuwait Cricket, Haider Farman, announced the establishment of the Kuwait Cricket Academy for the development of young children in Kuwait to learn this enjoyable game, one of the most popular in the world, opening a new era in the history of Cricket in Kuwait. The Academy has been inaugurated with the intention of providing free coaching to all children both Kuwaitis and expatriates who wish to learn this popular sport. It will also help Kuwait to build formidable teams at various age levels to participate in International events more competently in future. The Academy is being run by Cricket Australia trained and ACC certified coaches, who are members of the Kuwait Cricket Coaches Panel.

More than 160 children in the age group of 9-16 participated in the inauguration day of the Academy, which was held at the Entertainment City cricket grounds at Doha on Saturday, 23 January 2009. The Doha Cricket pitch became vibrant with the enthusiasm and devotion of the aspiring young cricketers and a dedicated officials and trainers. The boys were from different schools ranging from Arabic, Indian, Pakistani and International schools. The boys comprised of various nationalities including Kuwaiti nationals, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladesh, etc. The coaching activities were planned by the Kuwait Cricket Coaches Panel led by the Director for Coaching Sameer Desai who is a Level 3 coach. The boys were split into various groups, with each group going through various stages of skill acquisition in rotation with a Asian Cricket Council and Cricket Australia certified coach

The boys got acquainted with basic stance, grip and bat swing with Level 2 coach Murli Kutticode, who also showed them the proper cricket attire and equipment worn by the batsman. The next group was learning the basics of front foot defense and front foot drive with Level 2 coach Ayoub Shaikh. Another group was learning the method and merits of hook and pull with Arshad Shams who is also a Level 2 certified coach.

After the batting drills each group had the opportunity to learn some fielding and bowling skills. Basic catching technique was shown by level 2 coach Tahir Khan, while effective leg spin bowling technique was being taught by Level 1 coach Aamir Kidwai. Kaleem Ul Hasan, the General Secretary of the Coaches Panel was himself immersed in teaching the young lads the basics of fast bowling in his group.

Each coaching plan included a short skill progression game to enhance its development and understanding in the young boys. Senior Level 2 coach Arjuna Amaratunga and coach Steve Boyland from Kuwait English School, who heartily volunteered his services, were busy conducting the warm up sessions and later organizing games between various age level groups.

Kuwait Cricket distributed more than 150 colorful T-shirts to all the senior age participants and some juniors. The whole ground was filled with colorful children from all nationalities, gleefully mixing with anyone, screaming their hearts out in an environment full of merriment and thrill of playing cricket. The event was carefully monitored by Asad Baig, Kuwait Cricket, Director General and Head of Administration. Asad Baig had his hands full with the parents and teachers from schools discussing future possibilities and opportunities.

The whole program activities was monitored under the watchful eye and supervision of Sameer Desai, along with Emad Al Jassem who is member of the Kuwait Cricket Board and also an ACC/CA certified Level 2 coach and physio. The coaching activities were supported by Level 2 coach Tariq Rasool. The registration and admin support was controlled by the Level 1 certified female coaches Nida Mirza, Sandra Almeida and Jasleen Kaur of the Coaches Panel.

. Speaking to the guests after the training session, Haider Farman spoke to the youngsters the importance of cricket in the sports world and asked them to excel in the gentleman’s game. He detailed the training schedule and said that Coaching will be conducted every Saturday at the Entertainment City grounds and gradually the number of days will be increased and more training venues will be added.

It is also the intent of Kuwait Cricket to soon commence coaching for girls in a similar fashion. Kuwait has already participated in the ACC Women’s and U-19 Championships last year, with great feedback from member nations on the performance of the young girls who participated. Special welcome was accorded to the aspiring Kuwaiti cricket trainees.

The event was also attended by Kuwait Cricket Board members Yousef Ali Bash who is one of the senior most Kuwaiti national cricketers still passionately involved in the game and retired Major General Saeed Mubarak who has recently joined the Board, exhibiting tremendous support and keen interest. Chairman of Kuwait Cricket Council Jeff De Lange also attended the program going over each station to watch the coaching session up close. Director for Umpires and Council member Mohammed Riaz Choudhry was also available giving his valuable feedback to the day’s program.

The first day’s coaching program ended in the afternoon, with the boys exhausted but delighted with the joy and great fun they had in learning and playing cricket all morning. It was a unique experience for them strengthening their passion for playing the great game. The officials were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the budding cricketers. It signified a great culmination of the inaugural day of the Kuwait Cricket Academy with the promise of many more training sessions on continuous basis, huge participation and tremendous entertainment to all those who love cricket and are willing to learn and have the joy of playing this game skillfully.