Dubai: The CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has called on schools in the UAE to adopt cricket as part of their main curriculum to further tap into its popularity among youngsters.
At least two schools in Dubai have started enrolling students in cricket as part of their academic curriculum - with international cricketers like Kevin Pietersen and Gary Kirsten getting involved too.
“I think we have seen that all around the world that for a sport to succeed we need it to be part of the curriculum and the mainstream educational system. If you get kids playing sport at a very young age then you get them going and take things further in their adult life,” David Richardson, CEO, ICC told Gulf News.
“I think slowly but surely cricket in the UAE is moving in the right direction. Perhaps, what has held the region back is the lack of facilities at the grassroots’ level. But we have some marvelous cricket stadiums, and it is time now for the schools to adopt cricket as part of their teaching curriculum,” he added.
“The more schools adopt cricket and provide the needed facilities the better it will be. As the ICC we do not get involved at grassroots, but these are just my observations. Schools who have tried cricket have seen that things have been developing and moving in the right direction.”
