ABU DHABI 2 May 2019: The inaugural ‘Happiness Sim Cricket 6s’ cricket competition announced that cricketing legends Shahid Afridi and Brett Lee have been named as the 2019 Ambassadors for the tournament, thanks to The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (Mohre).
With prolific careers both domestically and internationally, both Afridi and Lee are bound to inspire the 10,000 workers that are participating in the tournament over the coming weeks.
Shahid Afridi also known by the nickname ‘Boom Boom’ is among the most popular cricketers not only in Pakistan but across the cricketing world. Known for his aggressive batting and ability to hit sixes at will, he was a crowd favourite wherever he played during his 21-year long international career.
Brett Lee on the other hand was known for his consistency of pace, bowling deliveries of over 150 kilometres per hour (93 mph) throughout his entire career. Lee is also widely regarded as one of the best pace bowlers ever to have played the sport. Lee finished his test cricket career with 310 wickets, and his One Day International career with 380 wickets.
“Boom Boom” and Lee have committed their time and efforts this weekend to this tournament, by meeting with players, acting as honorary match referees and presenting prizes. The players’ involvement is thanks to Mohre which is spearheading this 6-a-side competition of 50 teams, made up from almost 30 Operative Villages across the UAE.
Shahid Afridi said: “I am esteemed and delighted to be appointed as an Ambassador for the Happiness Sim Cricket 6s. I am looking forward to not only seeing some fun-fuelled cricketing action and meeting the enthusiastic participants but also working with Brett for the first time and enjoying some friendly rivalry as dual ambassadors!”
Brett Lee said: “This is a fantastic event! I absolutely love community participation in our wonderful game and I’m greatly honoured to be selected as an Ambassador. Community tournaments have the power to do enormous good through the language of cricket. Our game has more than three billion fans across the world, and through tournaments such as these we can give those workers participating something to really look forward to.”
After five weekends of competition, the winning five teams of each weekend tournament will go through to a ‘Final 5’ Grand Final, played under the floodlights on the Tolerance Oval at Abu Dhabi Cricket, just two days after International Workers’ Day (1st May) on Friday 3rd May. Both former international players will be in attendance for the final alongside senior dignitaries from MOHRE, including His Excellency Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, du delegates and official representative from Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC).
