Lionel Lyon
26 Jul 2003, 14:03
Cricket is on the road in Morocco
By Isambard Wilkinson in Tangier
(Filed: 26/07/2003)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Cricket is beginning to take route in Morocco thanks to a team of 10 zealous cricket coaches sent out across the country to try and win converts to the game.
Yesterday in the practice nets next to the international cricket stadium outside Tangier a few dozen 10-year-olds tried to get to grips with the willow. They represented some of the 600 young men across the country competing to play for nine clubs.
"It's good that in some of the streets you now see the sticks out and kids are playing cricket," said the head coach and project manager, Gary Cosier, who played Test cricket for Australia in the 1970s. "It gives them something to do as they really have nothing else."
On a modest scale, cricket is doing something to stem the flow of Morocco's disenchanted youth either taking the risky route of illegal emigration to Europe or drifting into the hands of Islamic radicals.
The introduction of the game is due to the entrepreneurial spirit of Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the man who took cricket to the Gulf state of Sharjah 20 years ago. He built the £20 million complex in Tangier and intends to make money from it through selling television rights to international games and by bringing in European cricket teams in the winter using the lure of good weather and a luxury sports centre.
The ground was given International Cricket Council approval last year and the inaugural Morocco Cup was played soon afterwards between South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
This year's tournament scheduled for August, was cancelled after Islamic terrorists launched suicide bomb attacks in Casablanca two months ago killing 44 people. The Australian national team pulled out and was soon followed by the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
The Moroccan team's vice-captain Redouane El Harzli said coaches are touring the country showing videos of the game at sports clubs often meet bewilderment but he pointed to the players around him to show they are making some headway.
He said: "Those who want to play do so because it is a discipline. But most of all because there are facilities and free equipment. And one has a chance of making the national team. It is, insh'Allah, becoming popular."
Madhey Gaib, 22, one of the players, said: "It was very difficult at first." Another, Yusuf Bouhqouch, said: "At first I was afraid of the ball and did not like fielding in the slips, but I am beginning to understand it now."
Mr Cosier admitted that "we have rather put the cart before the horse. We have the stadium now we have to teach them cricket."
By Isambard Wilkinson in Tangier
(Filed: 26/07/2003)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Cricket is beginning to take route in Morocco thanks to a team of 10 zealous cricket coaches sent out across the country to try and win converts to the game.
Yesterday in the practice nets next to the international cricket stadium outside Tangier a few dozen 10-year-olds tried to get to grips with the willow. They represented some of the 600 young men across the country competing to play for nine clubs.
"It's good that in some of the streets you now see the sticks out and kids are playing cricket," said the head coach and project manager, Gary Cosier, who played Test cricket for Australia in the 1970s. "It gives them something to do as they really have nothing else."
On a modest scale, cricket is doing something to stem the flow of Morocco's disenchanted youth either taking the risky route of illegal emigration to Europe or drifting into the hands of Islamic radicals.
The introduction of the game is due to the entrepreneurial spirit of Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the man who took cricket to the Gulf state of Sharjah 20 years ago. He built the £20 million complex in Tangier and intends to make money from it through selling television rights to international games and by bringing in European cricket teams in the winter using the lure of good weather and a luxury sports centre.
The ground was given International Cricket Council approval last year and the inaugural Morocco Cup was played soon afterwards between South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
This year's tournament scheduled for August, was cancelled after Islamic terrorists launched suicide bomb attacks in Casablanca two months ago killing 44 people. The Australian national team pulled out and was soon followed by the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
The Moroccan team's vice-captain Redouane El Harzli said coaches are touring the country showing videos of the game at sports clubs often meet bewilderment but he pointed to the players around him to show they are making some headway.
He said: "Those who want to play do so because it is a discipline. But most of all because there are facilities and free equipment. And one has a chance of making the national team. It is, insh'Allah, becoming popular."
Madhey Gaib, 22, one of the players, said: "It was very difficult at first." Another, Yusuf Bouhqouch, said: "At first I was afraid of the ball and did not like fielding in the slips, but I am beginning to understand it now."
Mr Cosier admitted that "we have rather put the cart before the horse. We have the stadium now we have to teach them cricket."