Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation Explained

Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation الاتحاد السعودي للكريكيت
Abbrev:	SACF
Sport:	Cricket
Jurisdiction:	Cricket in Saudi Arabia
Aff:	International Cricket Council
Affdate:	2003 (affiliation) 2016 (associate member)
Regionyear:	2003
Headquarters:	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Url:	sacf.gov.sa
Countryflag:	Saudi Arabia
Chairman:	HRH Prince Saud Bin Mishal AlSaud

Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation is the official governing body of the sport of cricket in Saudi Arabia. Its current headquarters is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is Saudi Arabia's representative at the International Cricket Council, and has been a member of the Council since 2003. It is also a member of the Asian Cricket Council.

Saudi Arabia became an Affiliate Member of the International Cricket Council in 2003, and became the 39th Associate Member in 2016.^[1]

History

For decades, cricket has been an interest of thousands of expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) Previously known as Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) was established in 2001 under the patronage of HRH Princess Ghada Bint Hamood Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, with the objective of “development and promotion of the game of cricket in Saudi Arabia”.

SACF is the only legal, indigenous entity registered with Ministry of Sports to administer the game of cricket in Saudi Arabia. It is officially affiliated with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and International Cricket Council (ICC), enabling it to oversee all international tours, regional competitions and domestic cricket events.

Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), under the auspices of Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports, is established with HRH Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud appointed as its First President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

History of cricket in Saudi Arabia

The first references to cricket in Saudi Arabia was in 1960. Organised cricket was developed by the mid-1970s when associations were formed, and legal status to organise cricket events was attained in 2001. In 2003, Saudi Arabia obtained status as a country participating in international cricket events.

Registered Cricket Associations Under SACF

• WPCA – Western Province Cricket Association
• RCA – Riyadh Cricket Association
• RCL - Riyadh Cricket League
• EPCA – Eastern Province Cricket Association
• ERCA - Eastern Region Cricket Association
• YACA – Yanbu Al Sinayiah Cricket Association
• MMCA - Madina Al Munawwara Cricket Association
• ACL - Aseer Cricket League
• NCL - Najran Cricket League
• JRCL - Jizan Region Cricket Association
• JPCL - Jizan Premier Cricket League
• AQCL - Al Qaseem Cricket League
• JCA - Jubail Cricket Association
• TCA - Tabuk Cricket Association
• JCA - Jeddah Cricket Association

Facilities and Events

Saudi Arabia has:

• 120 registered cricket clubs, with over 7200 registered players
• 25 cricket grounds
• 2 cricket academies
• Excellence Cricket Academy in Jeddah
• One turf wicket
• 3 AstroTurf wickets
• 17 certified coaches
• 28 certified umpires
• One women's ACC-qualified umpire/scorer
• Various annual competitions
• 56 inter-club competitions (each association conducts its own competition)
• 8 inter-region open competitions
• One inter-country competition at association level
• Junior and youth leagues
• 12 inter-school competitions (U-13, U-15, U-17)
• 4 regional junior competitions (U-19–U-21)
• 8 coaches involved in regular coaching clinics

References

1. https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/saudi-arabia-unanimously-elected-as-iccs-39th-associate-member-466778 Saudi Arabia unanimously elected as ICC’s 39th Associate Member

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