Cricket in Saudi Arabia receives Royal blessing (5 Dec 1999)

5 December 1999

Cricket in Saudi Arabia receives Royal blessing

While it was the British who spread our game to all corners of the Empire, it is the Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and the Bangladeshi who has pushed our sport far beyond the former possessions of the House of Windsor to new frontiers such as Saudi Arabia.

When the men of the sub-continent started arriving 20 years ago to provide the labour for the new oil economy, they brought their past-times with them, notably cricket.

At first matches were played with tennis balls between companies.

Later on, cities formed their own cricket administrations, with leagues established in Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina and other centres.

In the capital, Riyadh, 16 teams comprise the First Division, while 12 are in the Second Division.

In Jeddah there are about 26 cricket teams, with about another 20 in Medina.

The various leagues will meet in the national inter-city competition next month, after the Eid break, which starts on December 8 and ends on January 7.

While these teams will consist entirely of expatriates from the sub-continent, Australia, England and New Zealand, there are some Saudis who have taken to cricket.

These are nearly always those who were educated in countries with a cricket heritage and have returned.

The most important of the Saudi nationals is HRH Prince Brig.Gen. Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Naser Bin Al Saud (try repeating that three times).

Through this member of the Saudi Royal Family, the Saudi Arabia Cricket Association is likely to be given official recognition by the Government.