Abu Dhabi’s promising cricketers Yodhin Punja and Justin D’souza will be playing alongside some English youth this summer after they were awarded the Zayed Academy Sussex Cricket Club scholarships.
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They will travel to England in August for a one-week scholarship where they will get to hone their skills with Sussex coaches, led by their performance manager Keith Greenfield.
The trip is a reward after a successful season for the budding cricketers, who were specially selected by their Zayed Academy coaches having impressed in matches and training.
The opportunity to showcase their talent is something that the duo can’t wait for especially after hearing stories from their peers who had been selected in previous years.
Punja, 15, who was named in the UAE’s preliminary 30-man World Cup squad, said: “I’m really looking forward to this as I’ve heard some good things from people who have gone there and am ready to take it all in.”
“The whole season has been excellent for me having been involved in the UAE set-up and having done extremely well in the school tournaments and training.”
The fast-bowler, added: “I’ve always wanted to go to England and do this scholarship with Sussex and now I have to take the opportunity. I just simply can’t wait to show what I can do and prove that the UAE cricket is bright.”
D’souza, who was part of the Zayed Academy team that beat competition from Kenya and England to clinch the Sport Arabia ARCH Cup in April, echoed Punja’s view.
Head of @SussexCITC Tim Shutt joins John Lees on @BBCSussexSport to chat about the Sussex Cricket in the Community Arundel Festival #GOSBTS
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“It feels absolutely great as I’ve done really well but this will be a great learning curve for me and it will be lots of fun but challenging,” said the opening batsman, who turns 16 on Thursday.
While learning the skills in the UAE capital, the cricketers are keen to pick up new tips and develop their knowledge.
Punja said: “I want to learn something that I don’t know about. English coaches are the best judges on how to improve people’s bowling actions and I’m looking forward to see what they’ve got to say about my bowling and hopefully impress them.”
D’souza added: “I will pick up everything that they teach us and I will go out there with nothing to lose and plenty to gain.”
Having seen them develop at Zayed Academy, head coach Qazi Ayub is sure the pair will shine.
He said: “In previous years, the boys have said they are really surprised by the coaching set-up at Sussex. In UK, they will use bowling and batting machines and do a lot of indoor and outdoor training.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to develop as a cricketer.”
