JEDDAH, 3 May — The Jeddah Cricket League, in its drive to promote the game of cricket at grass-root level in the Kingdom, is organizing the Jeddah inter-school U-15 Schools Cricket Tournament. Saudi Gazette, the local English daily, is sponsoring the tournament.
This is the maiden tournament of its kind in the Kingdom.
Young Osman Shahid Amin, the twelve years old from Continental School, inspired his father Shahid Amin, president JCL, to organize this tournament. He is the fourth in generation —his great grandfather was a famous cricketer and well-known administrator, while his grandfather Mohammad Amin is a known leg-break googly bowler — has one hundred years of family cricket background.
This tournament is in continuation of the Jeddah inter-school U-19, which was launched three years ago and was the maiden tournament of its kind. This has been continuously sponsored by Arab News for the last three years.
Fifteen schools initially consented to play but Sri Lanka and Philippines School had to dropout because of their summer vacations.
P.C.S. American School did not have enough players to meet the age criteria. That on Sept. 1, 2001 the player should be over eleven years and under fifteen years. Bangladesh International School were restricted due to the annual exams.
The participating schools are: Continental School, Jeddah Prep & Grammar School, Pakistan International School, Pakistan Int. School (English Section), International Indian School, Bangladesh Int. School (English), Hala International School, Al-Wadi School, Al-Waha School, Manarat International School, Saad Bin Abi Waqas School.
The schools have been divided into four groups where the teams play each other on round-robin basis.
Two top teams from each group will qualify to enter the knockout tournament starting at the quarterfinal stage.
The matches will be of 20 overs per innings with 4 overs restriction per bowler. No bouncers have been allowed but the inner circle restrictions will apply.
JCL have arranged specially manufactured balls, 5 oz as per ICC regulations for this age group. Embossing on one side of the balls depicts JCL history of 26 years and the other side give tournament details. JCL have appointed Hamid Rana to be the tournament coordinator to be assisted by Zafar Makki. Hamid Rana and Naeemullah Khan have already successfully completed previously conducted U-19 tournament sponsored by Arab News.
Ijaz Khan, President of "IDEAS" (Indian doctors, engineers, architects, accountants society) have arranged with Dr Iqbal Pasha, director of Manarat Polyclinic, to provide gratis medical facilities at the ground which includes doctors, nurses, ambulance and first-aid treatment during the tournament.
Most of the senior cricketers of JCL have volunteered to umpire, help with scoring and oversee arrangements with the other JCL Executive Committee members to assist Hamid Rana. The tournament is so popular that almost 300 players tuned out on the opening day. This number excelled the previous Kingdom record when 267 came to attend the JCL trials for the U-17 for the selection of the squad which participated in the ICC Asia Cup Competition held in Karachi in July 2000.
Dr. Mohammad Nasir Shoukani, deputy editor-in-chief, Saudi Gazette along with other members of Saudi Gazette and other journalists were present at the inauguration ceremony. Majeed-ul Hassan, joint secretary JCL conducted the proceedings.
Shahid Amin, president of JCL, expressed his gratitude at the success of JCL as he was thrilled with the large turnout of the young masters dressed in perfect cricket attire and a scene to be remembered. He recalled starting JCL with 50 members in 1976 which stands at 2,000 today.
He emphasized for discipline and to demonstrate sportsman spirit as these tournaments are arranged to give the young men an exposure as well as to develop the competitive spirit and to breathe fresh air.
He hoped that one day some of them will turn out to be world class players.
Dr. Shoukani thanked JCL for providing platform to Saudi Gazette to help develop the game at this level and read the message of Editor-in-Chief Dr. Ahmed Al Yousaf who could not attend being away in States on official tour.
He wants to introduce this game to the Saudi schools and sought JCL help in doing so. He wished all the participants an enjoyable tournament.
He further assured that Saudi Gazette sponsorship will be a lasting affair and will do whatever is required to further strengthen Jeddah Cricket League.
He admired the JCL Executive Committee members for their devotion and dedicated efforts and assured JCL of full support.
Dr. Shoukani bowled the first ball to Osman Shahid Amin to inaugurate the tournament and registered the magical moment in the history books.
Refreshments and snacks were served to all present at the ground.
Group A: Pakistan International School, Bangaldesh International School, Manarat International School.
Group B: Pakistan International School (English Section), Sri Lanka International School, Hala International School, Al Waha International School.
Group C: International Indian School, Bangladesh International School (English Section), Saad Bin Abi Waqas School, Al Wadi School.
Group D: Continental School, Jeddah Prep & Grammar School, P.C.S (American School), Philippines International School.
The first round matches were played on the 25th April and the brief results are as follows:
International Indian School 190 for 6 (Mudaser 43, Arshad 32, Ramez 16 not out, Umer 16 Amjad 15, Kamran 13) beat Al Wadi School 96 ( Aziz 22 , Amer 17, Bilal 13 Mudaser took 5 wickets for 2 runs).
Al Waha 147 for 8 (Asad 28, Abeed 28, Zaid 27, Mobeen 14 — Shoaib took 3 for 29 and Reza 2 for 12) beat Pakistan International (English Section) 146 (Imran 38, Yasir 35, Zia 21, Shoaib 19 - Mobeen took 3 for 14 Ali 2 for 31 and Usman 2 for 19)
Saad Bin Abi Waqas 140 (Zuhair 25, Husain 24, Amin 15, Aqeel 14 — Asif took 2 for 28, Preio 2 for 20 and Omar 2 for 28) beat Bangladesh International school (English Section) 118 for 9 (Emad 33, Asif 25, Orean12 — Hussain took 4 for 19 and Khalique 2 for 7).
Continental School 143 for 2 ( Umair 57 not out, Yousaf 26 not out) beat Jeddah Prep & Grammar School 142 (Abbas Misri 50 not out, Awais 15, Zain 11, Saad Mustafa took 4 for 10).
