Dubai: Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, who brought international cricket to the UAE by hosting One Day International matches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from the early 80s, will be the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award that has been included in the Shyam Bhatia annual awards.
Former India captain Anil Kumble is the chief guest for this year’s annual awards, which will be held at the Shyam Bhatia museum on March 1.
Speaking to Gulf News, Bhatia said: “Bukhatir should be the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award because we are now enjoying watching so many international cricket matches here because of his vision to bring cricket here. At a time when many had doubts whether cricket can be played in a desert, he made it possible. The venue, which he created, then went on to enter the Guinness Book of world record for hosting the maximum number of one-dayer and so he deserves this honour.”
Over the years, Bhatia has increased the number of categories for his award. “Initially, it was only for the outstanding batsmen and bowlers in domestic cricket, but today we have best woman cricketer, umpires and junior cricketers. I decided to include an award to someone who has given dedicated service to UAE cricket and Bukhatir’ s name stood out the Lifetime Achievement award,” said Bhatia.
Bukhatir had even opened the gates of Sharjah Stadium for Afghanistan, who could not play their international matches in their country due to security reasons and set up the Al Dhaid Cricket Village when many cricket grounds in the UAE were taken over for construction purposes.
Bhatia awards have, over the years, been presented by legendary players like Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram and Viv Richards. This year will mark the 18th successive year of the annual awards. “I felt that Kumble is the right person to inspire the cricketers here by presenting the annual awards. He is not only India’s highest wicket-taker but the third highest wicket-taker in the world after Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia’s Shane Warne.”
