Football has traditionally been a more popular sport than cricket in Arab countries. Even in Saudi Arabia, if any sport was promoted at the domestic and international level and gained public attention, it was football.
However, this tradition is changing in the last few years, where it is investing heavily in other sports along with football and wants to make a global presence in the sports sector in the future.
In this regard, special attention is being paid to cricket in Saudi Arabia at the government level and the Saudi Cricket Federation is being activated.
In this regard, along with the efforts of the government, there is also a role of players from the subcontinent who have been organizing various cricket tournaments in Saudi Arabia for a long time and giving the players an opportunity to express their talent.
All Saudi Arabia Cricket League
A cricket tournament is currently going on in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Independent Urdu has spoken to the players and team owners involved in the tournament.
There are 12 teams in the All Saudi Arabia Cricket League, which includes players from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, along with citizens of Saudi Arabia.
The players involved in the tournament further said that more than one team from big cities are participating and these types of tournaments are organized throughout the year in Saudi Arabia which are sponsored by major commercial organizations of Saudi Arabia.
The future of Saudi cricket
Saudi Arabia is paying special attention to cricket at the government level, a clear example of which was seen in the recent ICC World Cup where Saudi Arabia’s leading petrochemical company Aramco is among the sponsors.
In this regard, work is being done to activate the Saudi Cricket Federation and help is being sought from other countries in this regard.
Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, while talking to journalists in Jeddah, confirmed that talks are ongoing between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Saudi Cricket Federation on cooperation to promote cricket in Saudi Arabia.
On August 24, the Pakistani ambassador had also met the head of the Saudi Cricket Federation, Prince Saud Bin Mishal.
Saud Bin Meshaal, head of the Saudi Cricket Federation, says that the Saudi Cricket Federation is working on many dimensions to promote Saudi cricket, including improving cricket infrastructure and providing suitable opportunities to foreigners living in Saudi Arabia.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Apart from this, discussions are also being held regarding organizing a cricket league in the style of IPL in Saudi Arabia, which, if successful, will be the most expensive cricket league.
In this context, according to a report of the British newspaper Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia plans to invest five billion dollars in the Indian Premier League.
According to the news, advisers of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman have started discussions with Indian authorities in this regard.
On the other hand, there has been an improvement in the performance of the Saudi cricket team.
According to a report by Arab News, the Saudi cricket team performed well in the recently concluded T20 World Cup qualifiers and proved itself to be a strong team for the future.
In the tournament, the Saudi cricket team won five consecutive matches thanks to their strong batting, but the defeat against Kuwait in the last match of the group stage proved to be decisive.
According to the report, despite the defeat, the team proved through its game that Saudi Arabia is capable of participating in international cricket competitions in the future.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,’script’,
‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);
fbq(‘init’, ‘2494823637234887’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);
#cricket #developing #Saudi #Arabia
2024-09-19 07:56:07
What initiatives are being taken by the Saudi Cricket Federation to promote the sport of cricket in Saudi Arabia?
Table of Contents
The Rise of Cricket in Saudi Arabia: A Shift in Sports Focus
For decades, football has reigned supreme as the most popular sport in Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift in focus towards other sports, particularly cricket. The Saudi government has been investing heavily in promoting cricket at the domestic and international levels, aiming to make a significant impact in the global sports sector.
Government Support and Activating the Saudi Cricket Federation
The Saudi Cricket Federation is being rejuvenated at the government level, with special attention being paid to cricket development in the country. This newfound focus on cricket is evident in the recent ICC World Cup, where Saudi Arabia’s leading petrochemical company, Aramco, was one of the sponsors.
To further promote cricket, talks are underway between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Saudi Cricket Federation to cooperate on cricket development in Saudi Arabia. The Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, confirmed these discussions, which aim to improve cricket infrastructure and provide opportunities for foreigners living in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Cricket Federation’s Vision
The head of the Saudi Cricket Federation, Prince Saud Bin Mishal, outlined the federation’s plan to promote cricket in Saudi Arabia. This includes improving cricket infrastructure, providing opportunities for foreigners, and organizing cricket leagues in the style of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In fact, Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to invest a massive $5 billion in the IPL, according to a Bloomberg report.
The All Saudi Arabia Cricket League
A cricket tournament is currently underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, featuring 12 teams with players from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. The tournament, known as the All Saudi Arabia Cricket League, is sponsored by major commercial organizations in Saudi Arabia and is one of many cricket tournaments organized throughout the year.
Players from the Subcontinent Drive Cricket’s Growth
Players from the subcontinent have played a significant role in promoting cricket in Saudi Arabia. They have been organizing cricket tournaments in the country for a long time, providing opportunities for local players to showcase their talent. These efforts have contributed significantly to the growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia.
The Future of Saudi Cricket
The future of cricket in Saudi Arabia looks bright, with the government’s support, the efforts of the Saudi Cricket Federation, and the contribution of players from the subcontinent. The Saudi cricket team has already shown improvement in performance, winning five consecutive matches in the recent T20 World Cup qualifiers.
While the team’s defeat against Kuwait in the last group stage match was a setback, it has proven itself to be a strong contender for the future. With continued investment and support, cricket is poised to become a major sport in Saudi Arabia, offering a new avenue for sports enthusiasts in the region.
Key Takeaways
Cricket is gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia, with government support and investment in the sport.
The Saudi Cricket Federation is being revitalized, with talks underway with the Pakistan Cricket Board to cooperate on cricket development.
The All Saudi Arabia Cricket League is currently underway, featuring 12 teams with players from the subcontinent and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is planning to invest $5 billion in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
* The Saudi cricket team has shown improvement in performance, winning five consecutive matches in the recent T20 World Cup qualifiers.
Keywords: Cricket in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Cricket Federation, All Saudi Arabia Cricket League, IPL, Pakistan Cricket Board, Ahmad Farooq, Prince Saud Bin Mishal, Aramco, ICC World Cup, T20 World Cup qualifiers, Kuwait cricket team.
What factors are contributing to the rise of cricket in Saudi Arabia?
The Emerging Rise of Cricket in Saudi Arabia: A Shift from Traditional Football Dominance
For decades, football has reigned supreme as the most popular sport in Arab countries, with Saudi Arabia being no exception. The country’s domestic and international football leagues have garnered significant attention and investment, with the sport being deeply ingrained in the nation’s culture. However, in recent years, a subtle shift has been observed, with cricket slowly but surely gaining traction in Saudi Arabia.
Government Support and Investment in Cricket
The Saudi government has taken concrete steps to promote cricket in the country, with a focus on developing the sport at both domestic and international levels. The Saudi Cricket Federation has been revitalized, and efforts are being made to engage with other cricket-playing nations to seek their expertise and cooperation. This renewed interest in cricket is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to diversify its sports sector and establish a global presence.
The All Saudi Arabia Cricket League: A Beacon of Hope
A prime example of this growing interest in cricket is the ongoing All Saudi Arabia Cricket League in Jeddah, which features 12 teams comprising players from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. The tournament has attracted sponsorship from prominent commercial organizations in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the growing appeal of cricket in the country.
The Future of Saudi Cricket: Bright Prospects Ahead
The Saudi government’s commitment to cricket is evident in its recent involvement as a sponsor in the ICC World Cup. Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Saudi Cricket Federation are engaged in talks to explore opportunities for cooperation and mutual growth. The Saudi Cricket Federation is working on multiple fronts, including improving cricket infrastructure and providing opportunities for foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabia to participate in the sport.
Discussions on a Saudi Premier League
Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is considering investing a staggering $5 billion in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with the aim of organizing a similar league in Saudi Arabia. This development could potentially revolutionize the cricket landscape in the region, making Saudi Arabia a major player in the global cricket arena.
Improving Performance of the Saudi Cricket Team
The Saudi cricket team has shown remarkable improvement in recent times, with a strong performance in the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Although the team faced defeat in the group stage, its overall showing has instilled hope for a bright future in international cricket competitions.
Conclusion
cricket is rapidly gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia, with the government, private organizations, and expatriate communities all playing a crucial role in promoting the sport. As the country invests heavily in cricket infrastructure and explores opportunities for cooperation with other nations, the prospects for Saudi cricket look brighter than ever. Will cricket eventually surpass football as the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the kingdom is set to become a significant player in the global cricket scene.
SEO Keywords: Cricket in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Cricket Federation, All Saudi Arabia Cricket League, IPL, Pakistan Cricket Board, Saudi Arabia football, cricket popularity in Saudi Arabia.
