RIYADH, 16 June 2004 — The Riyadh Cricket Association and Arab News have renewed their partnership aimed at promoting cricket in the Central Region.
At a dinner meeting on Monday, Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled A. Almaeena confirmed his support of RCA activities and sponsorship of the Under-17 Inter-schools Tournament to be held in September.
“We’ll support you. We’re together in this undertaking. We’re more than happy to be on the side of cricket,” said Almaeena.
For his part, A. Qadeer Mirza, the president of the RCA Executive Committee expressed his thanks and made Almaeena, whose association with cricket both as player and supporter dates back to the 70s, a patron of RCA. He also presented Almaeena with a plaque of appreciation.
“As our patron, we’ll be taking your advice; help us and work with us in our program,” said Mirza, emphasizing the support of Arab News in the past and its efforts that led to the unification of the then Riyadh Cricket League and Central Province Cricket Association in 1999. He said that Almaeena’s backing had “done wonders”.
The 2004-2005 season opens in September and Mirza hinted that it would be a busy one, with the usual 40-overs tournaments sponsored by banks, youth events and inter-city matches.
In keeping with tradition, a festival match between RCA Sponsors’ XI and RCA Ex-Com will be staged at the start of the season.
In addition to Mirza and Rahman the other Executive Committee members are Nasir Ali Khan of Saudi British Bank, vice president; Mohammed Razi Mohiuddin, general secretary, Aslam Sheikh, treasurer, Syed Taqiuddin, media secretary and Ahsan Raza, youth cricket coordinator. Tariq Javed, an adviser at SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency) who has had a stint as RCL (Riyadh Cricket League) president, is the association’s senior adviser. Consultant opthalmic surgeon Dr. Syed Abdul Shakir, with a strong background in the sport having played first class cricket in his prime, is adviser, while another veteran cricketer, Maqsood Ahmed, is the new technical secretary. The RCA patron-in-chief is Prince Brig. Gen. Dr. Abdul Aziz ibn Nasser ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
