Oman Cricket hopes to launch cricket activities in Sohar and Salalah by October

Muscat: As part of their mission to popularise and develop the game across the Sultanate, Oman Cricket is hoping to launch cricket activities in Sohar and Salalah by October this year.
The Sultanate’s cricket governing body on Wednesday announced the formation of two committees to run cricket activities in Sohar and Salalah.
Oman Cricket General Secretary Madhu Jesrani said the ‘idea is to go step by step to achieve our mission’.
Speaking to Times Sport, Madhu Jesrani said: “Our mission is to develop cricket across Oman. And the idea is to go step by step to achieve that. Sohar and Salalah are the first steps.”
Describing the formation of the two committees as a ‘big important step’ in country’s cricket, he said: “It has been our endeavour to take cricket to other regions of Oman. Besides Sohar and Salalah, we have plans for Nizwa, Sur and Barka as well.”
“We have started with Sohar and Salalah. Then slowly we will go to other parts as well,” he added.
Madhu Jesrani revealed that the response has been great both in Sohar and Salalah, which led to the cricket body starting the process.
“The response has been great from all concerned. So we have initiated the process by forming the committees to start working for the development of cricket in these two regions,” he said.
The official also said Oman Cricket is hopeful of cricket activities starting in the two places by October.
“As I said the response has been very encouraging from all concerned in both places. The authorities have also been very co-operative. The ground has already been allotted in Salalah. Already there is a shortlist of sites on which we propose to start the development works in Sohar.”
“We are waiting for the authorities to give the final approval. As soon as we got the approval, the work will start. We are hoping the ground development and other activities will start by October,” he added.
‘Our responsibility’
The committees, to be known as Oman Cricket Sohar and Oman Cricket Salalah, will function independently but under the supervision of the Sultanate’s cricket governing body.
The Sohar committee will be headed by Abraham George and will also comprise Ranjit Ravindran (secretary), Karuneh Varma (treasurer), Mohammed Salim Al Jawari, Sriram Krishnaswamy. and Kamal Prasad Gurang (all members). Oman Cricket is yet to name the vice-chairman.
Salalah committee will be led by Neelesh K. Derani and it consists of Axay Mehta (vice-chairman), S. Anil Kumar (secretary), Mayur Toprani (treasurer), Zaki Abdul Hakeem Al Bader, John Rajamoney, Sudheer Nair, Dr. Lalit Mohan and Narendranath K. Mudaliar.
Stating the cricket body is very pleased with the formation of the committees and the members selected for the respective committees, Madhu Jesrani said: “These committees will be under the umbrella of Oman Cricket but they will work independently. Now it is our responsibility to support them in all aspects.
“We will be helping the committees to run the activities. And of course we will help the teams and the players as well. Not to forget the development of coaches and umpires. We will be doing everything needed for the overall development of cricket.”
Meanwhile, Sohar committee member Sriram Krishnaswamy informed Times Sport that they are waiting for Sohar Municipality to give the final approval.
“It is now down to some paper work and site inspection by Sohar Municipality. Once it is done, the site will be allotted and it may happen any time,” he said.
Oman Cricket Sohar Committee: Abraham George (chairman), Ranjit Ravindran (secretary), Karuneh Varma (treasurer), Mohammed Salim Al Jawari (member), Sriram Krishnaswamy (member) and Kamal Prasad Gurang (member).
Oman Cricket Salalah Committee: K. Derani (chairman), Axay Mehta (vice-chairman), S. Anil Kumar (secretary), Mayur Toprani (treasurer), Zaki Abdul Hakeem Al Bader (member), John Rajamoney (member), Sudheer Nair (member), Dr. Lalit Mohan (member) and Narendranath K. Mudaliar (member).