KUWAIT CITY, Feb 2: Kuwait Cricket has once again been the favorite of ACC (Asian Cricket Council) as they have been offered to play host to the ACC U-19 Women’s cricket championship 2012. In fact, Kuwait Cricket has successfully conducted several International cricket tournaments in the past and this has been due to the infrastructure that Kuwait Cricket has and the trust & faith that ACC& ICC has in Kuwait’s ability to take up challenging roles as an organizer. Kuwait has always been fine hosts, most recently during last year’s Women’s Twenty20 which saw China and Hong Kong playing a thrilling final.

The prestigious Women’s U-19 tournament will have 9 teams from the non-test playing Asian region and they will be brushing their skills against each other in the week long tournament. Teams like China is being coached by ex-Indian test player Mamta Ruben an all-rounder and UAE has been undergoing training under KalpanaVenkatachar who has been Indian’s wicketkeeper batswomen for a long period. Ever since China’s participation, they have been slowly moving to be a force to be recognized and so are indigenous teams like Bhutan, Nepal &Thailand.

The week long tournament will be played at Unity &HubaraKOC cricket grounds at Ahmadi and the matches will commence from Feb 3. The final is scheduled to be played on Friday, Feb 10. Two matches will be played on each ground everyday as the first match will begin at 8 am and the afternoon match will commence at 1 PM. Feb 8 will be a rest day.

Women’s cricket is a tremendous force for social good and its presence in the Gulf region is most heartening. As promoters and developers of the game, to witness the skill and passion with which girls are playing cricket reveals to us the fundamental appeal of this great sport. It is being played for the pure joy it brings in terms of athleticism, team-spirit and personal expression.
The participating teams are Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Qatar,UAE, Thailand & host Kuwait.
Kuwait cricket Director General and Tournament Director AsadBaig stated that the new look Kuwait team has a few youngsters and some senior cricketers who can give a good fight to their talented opponents.

The young Kuwait team were undergoing tremendous training for the last three months and are expected to deliver their best said the beaming Director of Cricket. His Excellency Frank Baker, British Ambassador along with Hyder Farman the Secretary General Kuwait Cricket will inaugurate the tournament officially after the Friday prayers and ambassadors of many participating countries will grace the occasion.