Morocco - new ground, new clubs

First it was desert cricket in the Persian Gulf - now cricket will have its own purpose built stadium on Morocco's Atlantic coast - and it will be in use as early as August or September this year.

Just as he created a green oasis out of the desert sands in Sharjah, the father of cricket in the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, is financing and overseeing the construction of a 10,000 seat stadium in Tangier.

Although small by international standards, the stadium is expected to be inaugurated later this year in the Morocco Cricket Association's version of a national championship.

The championship will involve club sides including Stade Marocain, the F.U.S. organisation, a side called the Sheikh Zaeid team, the Casablanca XI, and teams from the British and Pakistani Embassies.

In March, Stade Marocain will organise a league tournament marking the National day of Pakistan on 23 March 2000. The participating teams will be the Stade Marocain team, and Pakistan, Casablanca and F.U.S XIs.

The last match of note was between a Moroccan XI and a 'mixed' Pakistani XI, led by the former Pakistan Ambassador to Morocco, Syed Azmat Hassan.

Mr. Hassan was instrumental in cricket establishing roots in Morocco, and the match was played in his honour. The match was won by the Pakistani XI (86) defeating Morocco (57).

Cricket could also get its first North African championship, of sorts, with the MCA and cricket enthusiasts in Egypt discussing the possibility of reciprical visits.

The MCA also hopes to host the Thiorry club in France.