| Issue 6
There, the next generation of cricketers in Qatar are in
training, and already showing huge promise.
Some 98 boys and girls attend the WCC’s academy,
Warrior Sports Center (WSC), with five already playing
for the Qatar under-19 team. The youngsters are given
intensive training sessions by star cricketers at an indoor
arena during the summer months. An international tour
is being planned.
He shows me the club trophy stand, his hand sweeping
excitedly along the gleaming testament to sporting
glory. The Cape Town Sixes trophy stands next to the
Qatar Champions League 2018 trophy. “That was
very emotional, because it was the first time we were
champions in Qatar,” says Kumar.
There is also one to mark a win against the Maldives
national team in 2018. “The Qatar national team was
busy,” says Kumar. “So they asked us to step in, and we
won against the odds.”
It has certainly been an exciting journey for the club,
which began playing at a Qatar Foundation cricket
ground in Education City.
Kumar says: “Promoting this sport in a cosmopolitan
place like Doha has many benefits. It brings together
communities, breaking stereotypes. It promotes exercise
and healthy living. We are blessed to have His Highness
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. His National
Sports Day initiative is an example to other countries.”
Next, the WCC will go to play in Croatia for the first
time. They hope to become a member of the Qatar
Cricket Association, so they can participate in additional
tournaments.
Now, the club boasts state-of-the-art facilities at its home
in Old Ideal Indian School in Doha where a bowling
machine spits balls out at 160 kilometres per hour.
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Last year, WSC organised a scholarship programme and
22 winners were selected from 200 hopefuls. They were
given a year of free coaching and cricketing gear.
Kumar tells aspiring players to always respect the game.
He says: “I tell them to respect other players and respect
the game – it is a beautiful sport, never corrupt it.”
Kumar says: “Cricket has given me so much. I felt that it
was time to give something in return and train the next
generation. These are future warriors, and future stars.
Some are super-talented, and in four or five years will be
at international level. We are blessed to have them here,
and my hope is that they can one day contribute to the
Qatar national team, and one day that team will play in
the Cricket World Cup.”