ABU DHABI // The British School Al Khubairat begin the defence of their Under 16 Abu Dhabi inter-school title tomorrow when they play Abu Dhabi Indian School.
The match is the second of two games at the Zayed Cricket Stadium - the first sees the Cambridge High School take on Indian Islahi in the opening match at 10am - and represents day one of the 13-team 25-over-a-side tournament which ends in February.
Following the success of last year's U14 and U16 event, Abu Dhabi Cricket Council have added an open event, school versus school.
"We are always looking to improve and the school versus school concept has been introduced this year as the jewel in the crown," Dilawar Mani, the chief executive of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), said.
"This tournament is only in its second year, and it's really wonderful to see it grow. This is one of the best things we could have possibly given to the kids. It goes without saying, it's a great opportunity for the schoolboy cricketers to get to play at all age levels and obviously improve their cricketing skills."
There is also talk of expanding the event to incorporate a tournament between the top two school teams from each emirate and pitting the best schools against visiting school teams from England.
Mani added: "If that would be an encouragement or incentive, why not? The ECB had also the idea of promoting an inter-emirate tournament between the top two teams from each regional council and hopefully we can have it started at the end of the school tournament."
The draw
Under 14
Group A
British School Al Khubairat, Sherwood-CBSE, Sherwood British Syllabus.
Group B
Abu Dhabi Indian School, Our Own English High School, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Pakistan School.
Under 16
Group A
Abu Dhabi Indian, British School Al Khubairat, Cambridge, Sherwood-CBSE.
Group B
Indian Islahi, Our Own English, Model School.
Open division
Group A
Abu Dhabi Indian, Cambridge, Indian Islahi, Sunrise.
Group B
Al Nahda, British School Al Khubairat, Emirates Future International, International School of Choueifat, Model.
