Israel Youth Cricket team to tour India

History will be created on Monday when for the first time an Israeli cricket team steps out onto the cricket fields of India.

This will be a proud day for all those who have been involved with Israeli cricket over the last 60 years. It will also be just tribute to all the cricketers in Israel of Indian origin who have worked so hard for the benefit of the game here.

Fourteen players and three officials will fly out on Sunday night to Mumbai where they will be the official guests of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who have taken a great interest in the local game .The close co-operation between the two boards will guarantee that the eight-day long adventure will be an utmost success. This trip is the result of the close ties developed between the two countries on the diplomatic front and this trip has the full backing of the Indian Embassy in Israel.

The BCCI have committed themselves to helping the development of cricket world wide in the Associate Member countries.The Israel squad are the nucleus of the U19 side that will take part in the European Championships later this year.

The team is scheduled to play 5 practice games at the famous Wankhede Stadium and at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Complex at Bandar Kurla. The squad will also have special training under the auspices of the MCA who will assist our youngsters in all departments of the game. This is an amazing opportunity for cricket in Israel as all the youth on this trip will receive a cricket education as well as playing on the sacred grounds in Mumbai.

On behalf of the Israel Cricket association I wish to thank the Pesident of the BCCI, Minister Sharad Pawar, the Vice President Mr. Lalit Modi, the Secretary Mr. Niranjan Singh and Prof. RS Shetty, CAO, for all their efforts in getting this tour off the ground.

Through the press I am extending an official invitation to the BCCI to tour Israel later this year.