Indian Minister in talks to set up cricket academy and stadium in Bahrain
Manama : Amin Pathan, a minister from the Indian state of Rajasthan, has said that he plans to set up an international cricket academy and a cricket stadium here to provide a platform for aspiring young players in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He said discussions are going on in materialising this dream in a year or two, adding that there is a lot of local interest in cricket in the Kingdom.
“I see many locals showing great enthusiasm in the game of cricket here and an academy will promote not just the sport but will also provide a platform for young, talented players who are looking to pursue their passion,” he said.
The minister was in the Kingdom to attend the Arabian Cricket Carnival ‘Twenty20 2017’ to be held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Honorary President of Bahrain Sports Federation for Disabilities.
Pathan, who is also the Chairman of Rajasthan Haj Committee, told DT News that the game of cricket could also be a political tool as well to enhance the diplomatic relations between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
“Cricket is the second-most widely played game in the world after football, and is thus used as a political tool to bridge the gap and strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries. Cricket is a religion, which unites people,” Pathan said.
Pathan said that cricket is gaining popularity in the Gulf countries as well.
“The UAE spent a lot of money to develop their cricketing facilities. Cricket has attracted a lot of investment lately, with a whole lot of academies coming up. Similarly, the Kingdom of Bahrain also will be able to host international cricket matches in the very near future,” Pathan said.
Regarding investment in the Arabian Cricket Carnival, Pathan said the carnival is focusing on the development of the game of cricket in the region and to provide a platform to the aspiring young players of Bahrain.
Celebrities to attend
Several celebrities would attend the final of the Arabian Cricket Carnival to be held in the Bahrain National Stadium in Isa Town on October 6, said Pathan.
The long-awaited Arabian Cricket Carnival T-20 2017, organised by Bahrain Cricket Center and KHK MMA Bahrain, commenced on Wednesday at the Bahrain National Stadium, Isa Town.
“Arabian Cricket Carnival is drawing huge attention in the region. I am thankful to HH Shaikh Khalid for his patronage and Bahrain Cricket Center (BCC) and KHK MMA Bahrain for their wonderful organization of the event,” he said.
The final will be held in the presence of Indian actor Jackie Shroff, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha and other dignitaries.
Teams of 12 players from around the GCC will come together to play the game, with every team being given 4 international players.
The Arabian Cricket Carnival (ACC) T-20 (2017) is a concept that will transform the games’ popularity to an altogether different level of “cricketainment”.
“Cricket is a modern game and the perfect tool to take the game across unexplored boundaries. There is absolutely no doubt that cricket will become one of the biggest success stories in the times to come with some of the best new and young talented cricketers representing their countries (clubs),” Pathan said.
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