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CRICKET in the UAE is bound to get a massive boost with the launch of a new website for the
exclusive coverage of domestic tournaments played here, on Sunday.
The new website, which can be accessed at uaecricket.com, is the brainchild of the Sharjah-based
brotherly team of Azeem, Waseem and Shahzad Afzal. Initiated by their father Syed Naseem Afzal,
the three youngsters latched on to the idea and saw it to its fruition. "I merely put forward an
idea of having a website dedicated exclusively for local cricket. These three youngsters took up
the challenge and that is where we are today," said the senior Afzal. Each of the three boys had
their tasks charted out during the early preparation for the launching of the site. While the eldest,
Shahzad (22) is handling the marketing of the project, the 16-year-old twins Waseem and Azeem
alternate between themselves to keep the site updated with the latest cricket news from the UAE.
"It's a team effort," states the soft-spoken Azeem (younger to Waseem by 10 minutes).
The website has been launched with back-up from their own virtual company, Activ Productions.
"There are so many websites dedicated to international cricket. But what do we have for cricket
in the UAE? It was a need and I think our site will go a long way in catering to the popularity
of the game in the UAE and abroad," Waseem added. The site has an expansive base, starting from
registration of various teams, cricket councils, tournament fixtures, team statistics,
competitions, chats, a cricket shop, a cricket web guide, separate pages for the cricket councils
and an access to other dedicated sites concerning cricket.
"We have made sure that the game is covered from all possible angles. While, of course, the
emphasis is going to be on domestic games, we have also ensured that the international angle
is not neglected," Azeem stated.
"The website is a going to be a family affair," chipped in Shahzad. "Cricket knows no boundaries,
it is all-binding. What we are aiming at is the fostering of a big cricket family in the UAE via
the website." The website has received tremendous support from within the UAE and abroad. Clubs
from the UK and Sweden have already got in touch with the Afzal trio in an attempt to reciprocate
information about the game. "We've got ambitious plans for the future," said Azeem, who also
holds the distinction of being awarded the 'Youngest web designer of the UAE' prize last year.
The new website, which will be formally launched on Sunday, can be accessed at
www.uaecricket.com.
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