(MENAFN- Arab Times) The South African Embassy announced in a media statement that all arrangements are in place to host the first Nelson Mandela Cricket Cup for Youth Development in collaboration with Kuwait Cricket, the official governing body of Cricket in the State of Kuwait. This one day cricket carnival will feature dedicated ten school teams and top young cricketers and is scheduled to take place on Nov 29, 2014 at the Sulaibiya Cricket ground.
According to South Africa's Ambassador in Kuwait Delarey Van Tonder the Nelson Mandela Cup is aimed at honouring the positive international legacy of Nelson Mandela in accordance with resolutions of the United Nations and in support of South Africa's international programme in celebrating the country's first twenty years of Freedom and Democracy.
In this regard Ambassador Van Tonder remarked "South Africa is a Good Story. Throughout South Africa's history sport has played an important role. The international sport sanctions to isolate the apartheid regime and the vision by Nelson Mandela of using sport to bring about social cohesion and national reconciliation in South Africa's democratic transition remain important milestones in the country's history".
By hosting the Nelson Mandela Cup aimed at the further development of this great game among Kuwait's youth we also wish to pay tribute to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait for his high recognition by the United Nations as a Global Humanitarian Leader and in particular the constructive efforts by the Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah in actively promoting the linkages between sport and youth development in Kuwait".
Cricket is one of the fastest developing sports in Kuwait and Kuwait's participation at the Asian Games is an historic event, given the fact that Kuwait is the first Arab nation to achieve this milestone.
Kuwait Cricket is an associate member of the International Cricket Council and a full member of the Asian Cricket Council and affiliated to the Kuwait Olympic Committee. The association was founded in 1996. In 1946 the first cricket game was played in Kuwait in Magwa between the Kuwait Oil Company employees and those of the contracting companies.
Prominent local companies and sponsors who volunteered their support and assistance to ensure the success of the Mandela Cup include Golden International Logistics Group, Pro-Sports, Bon Voyage Travel and Tourism, Burgan Bank, Sultan Centre, IDS, Etihad Airways, Agility, Rotana Hotel, Kavaal Security Systems Company and The Times of Kuwait.
Murali Kutticode Coordinator of the event and Director for Cricket Development at Kuwait Cricket confirmed that the Sulaibiya Cricket Ground is in excellent condition and invited Kuwait residents to attend this historic and entertaining event.
In terms of the format of the Mandela Cup he indicated that the competing teams (9 players a side) will play seven over matches (per side). Players are 16 years and younger. Winning teams will advance to the next round while losing teams will also continue to play a shorter version of limited overs. Many prizes will be presented to all players including the South African Ambassadors Floating Trophy as well as Man of the Match Awards, Player of the Series, best Batsman, Fielder and Bowler and Wicket Keeper and Merit Awards for Sportsmanship.
The first match is scheduled to start at 07h30 with the final match to take place at 16h00 followed by the Award Ceremony. The following teams will participate:
1. Future Stars
2. FAIPS Titans
3. Bhavan's cricket
4. Kuwait Pakistan XI
5. Cricket Coaching Club (CCC)
6. All Rounders XI
7. WKC- Young Masters (Comprising all women cricketers)
8. Gladiators
9. FAIPS Warriors
10. Bosco Blasters
11. The English School
For further information please call: Murali Kutticode/ Director Junior Cricket: Mobile No: 99542107; Manoj P Kuriakose/ Embassy Coordinator: Mobile: 97818426
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