Another world first for Dubai Sports City

The ICC Global Cricket Academy will be an international centre of excellence for cricket bringing together the skills and facilities to allow cricket players including juniors, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators to develop their abilities.

When finished in 2007 the Academy will have access to a 30 000 seat cricket stadium, three purpose built cricket grounds, indoor and outdoor training facilities, a gym, pool, lecture theatres and classrooms, sports science and sports medicine facilities in place for the use of the Academy.

ICC President, Ehsan Mani, said that Dubai Sport City project offered cricket a unique opportunity to establish a world-class development centre that will be a key element in the ICC's push to develop the game.

"The Global Academy is a very exciting development not only for the ICC but also for cricket globally. Dubai is an ideal location with its ease of access for the cricket playing world and climate offering a perfect setting for this facility.

"With the facilities that are being put in place, the ICC Global Cricket Academy will be an outstanding resource for the ICC and our 92 members to use to continue the growth of the game."

The Academy will be a foundation tenant of the innovative Dubai Sports City project that will see a multitude of sports brought together in a development of 50 million square feet.

The vision of Dubai Sports City has brought together world-class partners to create a destination that has the best of breed from all sports.

The ICC Global Cricket Academy joins leading names such as Manchester United Soccer Schools, an Ernie Els Signature Golf Course, a David Lloyd Tennis Academy and a Butch Harmon School of Golf that have already committed to this exciting development.

Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Dubai Sports City partner and President of the UAE Cricket Board said: "Dubai Sports City is delighted to have the ICC Global Academy as part of our offering. As a brand it fits so well not only with our other world class partners but also with our own vision. Our goal here is to combine the excitement of sports and the innovation of Dubai itself. Dubai Sports City is a place of enduring spirit and passion that will attract people from all over the world."

Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, Dubai Sports City partner and Vice President of the Emirates Cricket Board added: "Cricket is becoming an increasingly popular sport here in the U.A.E. amongst kids and the introduction of the ICC's global academy will hopefully boost participation even further.

"Having these state of the art facilities here in Dubai will offer us a very exciting opportunity to harness this popularity and focus on nurturing and developing junior cricketers throughout the UAE, GCC, African and Asian countries."