RIYADH: Cricket is hugely popular as the most watched sport around the world after soccer and has been played in Saudi Arabia for more than 50 years, mainly by expatriates from Asian countries.
In the late 1970s, a cricket association was established and began organizing weekend matches in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The game gradually became popular with locals, but most of the enthusiasts were Asian expats who were familiar with the game. In South Asian countries, cricket is worshiped like a religion.
These South Asian expatriates in Saudi Arabia cheered on their favorite games with passion. However, with the establishment of the Saudi Cricket Federation established in 2020, the game of cricket has flourished and is expanding across the Kingdom by lining up a series of programs focused on promoting the game of cricket among locals and expatriates. Introduced cricket culture.
Those playing the game told Arab News that initially it was not easy to pursue the dream of playing cricket as kit such as bats, pads, balls, gloves and helmets were not easily available. Told. Previously, players would bring their equipment from their home countries, but now several shops offer cricket kits.
“Cricket is a game that requires a wealth of equipment to ensure safety and reach optimal performance levels. This includes protective equipment, cricket training equipment and cricket ground equipment.” said Abdul Waheed, a star player for the Saudi cricket team that won the ACC Men's Challenger Cup for the second consecutive time. arab news.
“All cricket equipment is available in Riyadh with stores in Hay Al Wizarat, Shumaishi and Manfuha areas. You can also just go to the store and buy it. If some equipment is not available or more If you want a high-quality brand, it takes time to source it from Pakistan or India,” Waheed said.
“You can get all the quality equipment in these stores. These shops also offer discounts for bulk orders.
“Our Saudi cricket team players also buy equipment from these shops,” he said.
Arab News spoke to several shop owners and retailers in Riyadh.
Ikramullah Khan, owner of Sialkot Sports in Hai Al Wizarat district, one of the oldest shops offering cricket equipment in Riyadh, told Arab News: “We have been supplying cricket equipment for the past 22 years. My father started this shop and now with my brother I run a shop that supplies all cricket equipment for hard and soft cricket. Including trophies. I sell everything.
“Anyone who is interested in cricket can come to our store and buy. We offer all kinds of equipment, from regular equipment to branded equipment and high-quality equipment. If you want a brand that is not available in my store, I will provide it over time after the consignment arrives from Pakistan, but most of the equipment is available in my store,” he says. I did.
“If you want to buy a low-cost bat for softball cricket, the price ranges from SR90 ($24) to SR240, while the price for a bat for playing hard ball ranges from SR350 to SR1,600. -CA, MB Malik , Ihsan and other brands.”
Mr Khan said: “Like all other companies in the market, our business was also significantly affected during the pandemic and subsequently as many families left the Kingdom and returned home. The situation has now improved. and since the establishment of the Saudi Cricket Federation, cricket has become more popular than ever, so we hope to increase our revenue as cricket clubs here in Riyadh, such as the Riyadh Cricket Association, the Riyadh Cricket League, and other affiliated clubs. Players from nearby clubs such as Al Khalji, Majmaa and Mazahimiya all come to my shop to buy equipment. Sometimes people come from as far away as Buraida, Qassim. I’m coming to buy some equipment.”
Abid Meraj of AR Sports, another major shop that provides equipment in stores in different parts of Riyadh, told Arab News:
“People can simply visit our shop and buy all kinds of equipment to play their favorite games with the safety they need. Protective equipment such as gloves, helmets, pads, arm guards, etc. It is important for playing cricket and we provide it in all our shops,” he said.
Khurram Mustafa, a cricket enthusiast and Pakistani entrepreneur, sought to boost cricket in Saudi Arabia by supplying cricket kits from Pakistan to Saudi Hardware Company (SACO) in 2021.
However, he said the initiative faced a setback as the response was not very enthusiastic, mainly due to the pandemic and lack of suitable cricket grounds for practice.
Currently, the popularity of cricket is increasing under the initiative of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, and enthusiasm for cricket remains strong in Saudi Arabia, especially among foreigners from Asian countries who are already familiar with cricket, and Mustafa said that the cricket supply will be resumed. I have high hopes for this. Device.
Undeterred by the initial difficulties, Mustafa remains passionate about cricket and is passionate about making cricket more accessible not only within SACO but also in sports shops across the Kingdom.
“My unwavering commitment to promoting the sport demonstrates my determination to overcome obstacles and foster a flourishing cricket culture in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
