After honouring the men’s senior team for their two World Cup qualifications in the last three months, H.E Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) chairman is ‘sure’ an Emirati will play in the national team soon.
“Definitely, we would like to see one [play],” he said after the celebration dinner at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi.
“There are a few of them [interested] and I am sure we can form a national team very soon.
“We (ECB) are all interested in promoting the game and encouraging all youths to take up cricket.”
And UAE coach Aaqib Javed predicts it could be only “three or four years” before Emiratis start playing for the national team after admitting there are plans to start a cricket academy in Al Ain, following an int- By Denzil Pinto erest in the sport from the locals.
Currently there are no Emiratis playing in the Under-19s or senior teams, with the majority of themfrom Pakistan and India.
However, Javed is keen to see Emiratis play for the national team, following the senior team’s qualification for next month’s T20 and the 2015 World Cups.
“We have qualified for two big tournaments and it has been acknowledged in the country and there is a lot of interest among the local communities,” said Javed.
“I went to Al Ain (recently) and there’s a community who are interested in playing cricket. We (ECB) are planning to start an academyin Al Ain for the locals. Attracting Emiratis to the team is our main aim. If we attract the locals that is the only way to go forward in the future.”
When asked how many years it would take to see an Emirati play for UAE, the 41-year-old, said: “Hopefully in three or four years time. Definitely a few will comethrough the Under-19s and into the senior team.”
Javed revealed that some of the U19 players will continue their studies in the UAE following the senior team’s recent achievements. “With the World Cup qualification, a few (of the players) have changed their minds and are looking for universities here in the UAE.”
Javed also confirmed he had no interest in coaching Pakistan after the role had been vacant following Dav Whatmore’s departure.
“I did not submit any application,” he said, when asked if was interested coaching his native country.
“My current interest lies with the UAE and I have to finish this job (of attaining Test status) that I have begun,” said Javed.
Meanwhile, captain Khurram Khan, admitted he shed a few tears after finally achieving his World Cup dreams.
“It’s a dream to play for two World Cups especially for me who played for nearly 13 and a half years. I had tears in my eyes when I knew we had done it.
“I knew it was my last opportunity to play in the 2015 World Cup and we all played very well in that tournament,” said Khan who admitted he was ‘nervous’ meeting Sheikh Nahyan.
