DOHA (Qatar): The long-standing need of the cricket lovers to have their own ground will soon become a reality thanks in a large measure to the concerted efforts of Qatar Cricket Association (QCA).
With cricket increasingly becoming popular, the QCA along with the Qatar government is working overtime to get the ground ready.
A brand-new cricket facility is likely to take shape on the Doha outskirts subject to approval from the Ministry of Sports and Culture.
QCA along with Qatar Hockey Federation and Qatar Rugby have been allocated a land that would see three sports having separate grounds.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed as QCA is awaiting approval from the government,” QCA Director (Public Relations) Isa Al Yaqoub said on the sidelines of a friendly tournament conducted by Doha-based Warriors Cricket Academy (WCA) on Tuesday.
QCA does not have a ground of its own with all the league matches starting from the top division – premier to D division – matches are played at Lusail ground, which lacks proper infrastructure.
“We can’t say now when exactly it will be ready. It’s a long process. After the approval from the Ministry of Sports and Culture, QCA will then invite tenders from interested parties to layout the ground plan,” added Isa, who gave away the prizes to the winners and runners-up teams.
Yet, the QCA under the leadership of its president Yousef Al Kuwari has encouraged the academies to develop the sport besides having its own programmes that aims to take cricket to the next level.
Warriors lead the way
Meanwhile, WCA is one of the several academies that have hugely contributed to the sports development in Qatar.
“Our academy has done a lot over the years to promote the sport in the country. There’re also a few Qatari players in our club. We would like to contribute more to strengthen the Qatar national team,” said Kushal Kumar, one of the directors at Warriors Cricket Club (WCC).
Last year, the club, which was founded in 2014, organised a scholarship programme and 22 winners were selected from 200 hopefuls. They were given a year of free coaching and cricketing gear.
“We are blessed to have some of the talented players at WCC. I hope that one day they can contribute to the Qatar national team,” added Kumar.
