Maldive cricketers to attend Bangladesh coaching programme

Two young cricketers from the Maldive Islands, Ali Niyaz and Ismail Nadheem, attended a Coaching Development Program organised by the ICC from March 17 to 26, at Dhaka, Bangladesh. The program was part of the new initiatives taken by the ICC to promote cricket in Asia.

About 70 young cricketers participated in this program, from eight different countries. These countries included Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.

Mushtaq Mohammad, former Pakistani captain and Gordon Greenidge, the present Bangladesh national coach, conducted the training program. Ali Niyaz and Ismail Nadheem were completely satisfied with the training program, whereby they also played number of practice matches. Ali Niyaz scored 75 not out and 35runs at the two practice matches he played.

Mushtaq selected Ali Niyaz as the best player awarding him a cricket bat with Mushtaq's autograph. The ICC is planning a series of development activities and assistance programs, whereby the Maldives Cricket Association is a recipient of number of their development activities.

Bandulla Warnapura, the former Sri Lanka Test captain) visited the Maldives and inspected cricket facilities, whereby he produced a report for the development of infrastructure in cricket. The MICA is developing a cricket ground with matting wickets as well as a few nets for practice purposes.

Under other development activities planned for 2000, more than 500 youngsters will be introduced to the game.