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SAUDI ARABIA





Population: 28, 082, 541 (2011 estimate)
Population Aged 0-14: 28.2%
National Coach: Tapas Chattopadhaya
National Captain: Nadeem Saad
Cricket clubs: 212
Grounds: 42
Turf wickets: 2
Women’s cricket: Yes
Playing Season: Year-round

ACC Member since 2003
ACC Development Officer: Iqbal Sikander

At the ACC Trophy Elite in Dubai, October 2012

Recent Achievements:
2010 Finalists, ACC Trophy Challenge
2011 Winners, ACC U-19 Challenge Cup
Twelfth in ACC Rankings for 2011 and 2012 seasons
Seventh in ACC Rankings for 2009 and 2010 seasons

Personnel qualified from ACC Courses:
Coaches: Level I – 38; Level II – 5
Umpires: Level I – 61; Level II – 4
Curators: Module I – 1; Module II – 1; Module III – 2; Advanced – 1

A period of re-construction is underway in the Kingdom, as the Saudi Cricket Centre look to create a fresh core of quality cricketers in each of the six regional development areas: Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Medina, Abha and Yanbu. Twice winners of the ACC U-19 Challenge Cup, most recently in 2011, the aim is to create a squad of players who can maintain Saudi Arabia’s position in the Elite divisions of every ACC event.

Cricket is receiving active royal patronage in the kingdom and the Saudi Cricket Centre are active in reaching out to as many as possible who wish to play the game. The intention of the Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) is to develop the kingdom’s infrastructure, youth and competition programs. “Youth development is the prime objective,” says Mr. Nadwi, “the targets are primary and secondary schools, where we hope to introduce the children to the basics of the game by way of inter-active and video demonstrations.”

A tournament structure for age-groups for U-13, U-15, U-17 up to U-19 as well as regional competitions for the seniors are proposed with particular emphasis being put on investing in turf surfaces at all the new academies and grounds. There is also a great desire to attract Arabs to cricket.

The expectation is that by 2013 at least 180 schools will be competing in nationally-managed competitions. “We have set a target of increasing each age-groups schools per region by five a year from 60 in 2009,” says Mr. Nadwi.

The intention is to create a focussed pathway for talented players to progress. Structured training programs and scholarships for the most promising players are proposed with full support being given to the new generation of coaches, curators and umpires that will be needed.

The Saudi Cricket Centre celebrates its tenth year of existence in 2013.

 

At the ACC U-19 Elite in Malaysia, May 2013 ACC Development Officer Iqbal Sikander conducting a course in Jeddah, May 2011

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SAUDI CRICKET CENTRE

P.O. Box 7272
Jeddah 21462
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Phone: +966 2 672 7434
Fax: +966 2 670 5632
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.saudicricket.org