RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation and Digital Entity Company have held a series of softball cricket matches for children and adults in Riyadh to celebrate the 91st Saudi National Day.

The 16-over matches were played at Riyadh Cricket Ground and included six teams, four in the adult category and two in the children’s.

The final match in the adult competition was contested between TCIL Eleven and DEC, the latter electing to bat first after winning the toss and going on to post a score of 252. Chasing that big total, TCIL Eleven could only manage 240 runs, leaving DEC the winners of the limited-overs match.

The event was aimed at promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for Riyadh residents as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s Quality of Life Program.

The Quality of Life Program was launched in 2018 to encourage a healthier lifestyle for residents and visitors to the Kingdom through a series of sporting initiatives and competitions.

DEC Project Director Aneesur Rahman said that Saudi Arabia has become a second home to many from the huge Asian expatriate community, who are eager to be part of the SACF’s campaigns to promote a healthy and active lifestyle with the support of the Sports for All Federation to increase physical activity levels by 40 percent over the next decade.

“We feel very proud of this important occasion and congratulate all on the Saudi National Day,” Rahman said.

Rahman, who is also president of Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, Riyadh, is keen to create opportunities in cricket for expatriates in the capital by continuing to promote the game in the Kingdom.