Dubai: Saudi Arabia has been unanimously elected as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) 39th Associate Member during the ICC’s Full Council meeting in Edinburgh.

UAE had shown the way for all cricket-playing Gulf countries on how to popularise the game.

The ICC recognition for Saudi Arabia is a big boost for cricket in the region.

Saudi Arabia has been an Affiliate Member of the ICC since 2003. As per the 2014 census, the country boasts 4,350 cricketers and 80 dedicated cricket facilities.

In 2008, Saudi Arabia found a novel way to promote cricket among nationals – by translating the laws of cricket into Arabic and distributing it in schools.

Speaking to Gulf News, Nadeem Nadwi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC), said: “We realised that once we spread the information about the game, then it will be easier for us to attract Saudis into the game. The game is being played in Saudi Arabia for the last 30 years but it hadn’t got the recognition till the Saudi Cricket Centre was established in 2003.”

Sponsorship support for the game has also been very impressive.

Recently, the SCC signed a lucrative three-year deal with MoneyGram, which has supported many ICC international events. The SCC invested a large chunk from this sponsorship into the staging of a domestic tournament in which 1,800 players from 106 clubs participated.

Congratulating the SCC, ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said: “I congratulate Saudi Cricket Centre on becoming an Associate Member of the ICC and hope it will continue to play its positive and active role in promoting and developing the game in its territory.”

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas who completed his term as the president of the ICC, was thanked for his contribution to the game during his tenure.

Manohar said: “I take this opportunity to thank ICC President Zaheer Abbas for his latest contribution in a lifetime of service to cricket. I am sure he will continue to grace the game he has adorned for so long.”

Abbas remarked: “I assure all stakeholders that under the present leadership, both at the board and members’ levels, the future and health of cricket is bright and in safe hands.”