Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, will be the new home of T10 cricket for the next five years, starting with the 2019 season. Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has signed a five year agreement with the organisers of the T10 Cricket League. The shortest form of the game will now be played exclusively at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
To announce the arrival of this exciting new inter-governmental partnership, ADC, ADSC and DCT Abu Dhabi organised a T10 match on the seafront of Abu Dhabi’s iconic Corniche, with T10 aces Colin Ingram, Andre Fletcher and Luke Ronchi having a bat on the beach.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This announcement is fantastic news for Abu Dhabi. Our city is a major global hub with a huge variety of attractions that cater to people of all ages and backgrounds, and the T10 tournament’s presence the city for the next five years represents an exciting opportunity to attract even more visitors from around the globe, especially those from India who represent one of DCT Abu Dhabi’s key markets.
“The signing of this agreement shows the level of cross-government support which is implemented in Abu Dhabi, hence we can celebrate how both ADSC and DCT Abu Dhabi are able to continue to collaborate in attracting major events to the emirate.
“DCT Abu Dhabi is keen to broaden the appeal of the emirate to as wide a demographic as possible and this agreement will help us reach out to many more potential visitors who can come and discover our extraordinary destination for themselves.”
“T10 is fast, punchy, exciting cricket, making it perfect viewing for those of us living in the UAE,” said His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council. “The decision to host T10 in Abu Dhabi is a fitting demonstration of our strategic investments in sporting infrastructure, such as training facilities and match stadiums which we’ve been making over recent years. T10 will bring the latest edge to a city known for its sporting credentials, from Formula 1, to the AFC Asian Cup and the Special Olympics World Games.
“Through bringing T10 to the capital of the nation, we hope cricket’s sporting potential can reach more audiences and introduce more players, young and old, to both cricket and to the wider forms of sport available in Abu Dhabi,” Al Awani concluded.
The first match of the T10 League 2019 will be on 23 October 2019.
