Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @kash_shaikh
Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, has announced plans to form and develop the UAE’s first national baseball team.
Baseball United has received official sanction from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to manage the UAE National Baseball Team and establish a corresponding development program. The ECB, the governing body for bat-and-ball sports in the UAE, has granted Baseball United the authority to oversee the team’s player selection, development, and participation in global competitions.
The UAE national team will make its debut at Baseball United’s inaugural Arab Classic tournament, scheduled for Nov. 7-10, 2024, at the new Baseball United ballpark in Dubai.
The plan was presented to the ECB as part of Baseball United’s grassroots and community development initiative. The ECB’s endorsement highlights Baseball United’s professional expertise and international standing, giving it the mandate to spearhead baseball growth in the region.
“Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan, chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, and the ongoing support of Vice Chairman Khalid Al-Zarooni and General Secretary Mubashshir Usmani, we’ve been able to reach another significant milestone for baseball in this region,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United.
“While our professional league aims to create the gold standard for baseball across the Middle East and South Asia, we believe the most powerful way to grow the game is through the development and enhancement of national team programs in this part of the world. We’ve supported several national teams over the past three years, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and now we are very grateful to build a new program here in our UAE headquarters.”
The UAE national team will compete against teams from countries including Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia at the Arab Classic, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE both fielding national baseball teams for the first time. This event will be the largest national baseball tournament in the region, with all matches held at the Sevens sports and entertainment complex in Dubai.
The UAE team will adhere to World Baseball Classic (WBC) eligibility rules, allowing broader participation from local residents. In addition to citizens, players who are permanent legal residents, born in the UAE, or have a parent who is or was a UAE citizen, are eligible to represent the national team.
“I truly believe this milestone will be an inspiration to countless young players, coaches and fans across the UAE,” Shaikh added. “We are excited to implement our baseball training curriculums and professional protocol, and get to work in developing the most competitive team possible. I have no doubt that the UAE team will make their country proud.”
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
