DUBAI 15 October 2018: Gems Heritage Indian School, in partnership with ESM (East Sports Management), have inaugurated Gems Heritage Cricket Academy, with enhanced curriculum and ICC-qualified coaches.
With West Indies cricketing legend Brian Lara as the guest of honour, the event was held on the grounds of Gems Heritage Indian School and included a girls’ and boys’ T10 cricket match, and an unveiling of the Heritage Plaque, marking the launch of the Heritage Cricket Cup.
The inaugural Heritage Cricket Cup features players from 21 schools from across the UAE, with a mix of the country’s top up-and-coming cricketers.
Gems Heritage Cricket Academy is open to cricketers aged three to six, who can join the Mini Smashers programme, as well as those aged seven to 16. Offerings include ICC-qualified coaches, international-grade facilities, technology-driven training with Pitch Vision and Bola Bowling machines, a variety of tournaments and talent camps, and free transportation to and from the Academy provided by STS (School Transport Services).
Sunny Varkey, Founder, Gems Education, said: “I am proud to see the establishment of such an important initiative to promote cricket – a sport so loved in India, my home country, as well as in the UAE, my home… We are laying the foundations of a glorious cricketing future for our students, the school, Gems Education and the nation as a whole, and I look forward to seeing the cricketing stars of tomorrow develop their skills today in our academy.”
Brian Lara, said: “School cricket is the life and soul of this beautiful game, and where the passion to play at the highest level comes from for any international cricketer. Knowing that Dubai is a melting pot of talented players from around the world, I certainly believe the Heritage Cricket Cup will be an amazing experience and a tournament that will set the standard of youth cricket in the country for a very long time.”