Dubai stadium reaches out to fans

Saturday, Oct 08, 2011

Gulf News

Dubai The Dubai International Cricket Stadium at the Dubai Sports City will become the first cricket venue to interact with the fans through social media network. This stadium which will host the maximum number of One-dayers, Tests and Twenty20 matches during the oncoming two series has already won the hearts of fans as well as players within two years of its inception with its modern amenities for the game.

“We will be launching a Facebook page, a YouTube channel and a Twitter feed — @Dubai Sports City — to ensure we stay in touch with the fans to ensure that they get the very latest information on the matches,” said Maqbul Dudhia, the general manager sports business at Dubai Sports City.

“Through the social media, we will be offering prizes through competitions, the latest ticketing and stadium information, match details, media releases and press conference audio. It should be great value for fans of our great sport,” added Dudhia.

Benefits

With three Test matches, five One-dayers and two Twenty20 matches and the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the two oval grounds at the ICC Global Cricket Academy (GCA) will stage 34 days of international cricket.

Cricketers are hugely benefited whenever the matches are held here.

“With the ICC’s Global Cricket Academy now fully operational and just a minute’s drive away from the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City is now offering teams world-class state-of-the-art venues to play and train at. Many of the world-class cricketers who have played in this stadium and have used the ICC GCA facilities have publicly proclaimed the fantastic facilities. We believe these Dubai Sports City venues complement Dubai’s vision and brings into focus Dubai as a sporting destination,” he said.

To attract more fans into the ground ticket prices have been kept very low and in some cases free.

“Entry to one part of the stadium will be free during the Sri Lanka Test from October 26 to 30 October while tickets for the One-dayers between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on November 14 November will start from Dh25.

The most expensive seat for the two weekend ODIs, on November 11 and 18 is Dh250. We believe we are offering something for everyone: great value to suit every pocket at a spectacular venue,” said Dudhia.

“We’re staging more cricket than ever before. It’s just over two years since our first international match, and in that time we believe we have set the bar extremely high,” he said.

Speaking about the facilities at the venue, Dudhia said: “The facilities for players and officials, with outstanding dressing rooms and a great playing surface, have set new standards of excellence; the design of the stadium means every one of the 25,000 seats is close to the action; and the innovative “Ring of Fire” floodlight system, unique among cricket grounds worldwide, provides superb quality of light and creates a wonderful spectacle for players, officials, viewers at home watching TV and spectators at the ground.

Interaction

Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Formerly known as: Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium

Capacity: 25,000

Tests played: one (Pak v SAf, Nov 2010)

Highest team total: 380 by SAf v Pak, Nov 2010

Lowest team total: 248 by Pak v SAf, Nov 2010

Individual 100s: 4

Highest individual score: 135* by Jacques Kallis - SAf v Pak, Nov 2010

Best bowling: 5/54 by Mornie Morkel - SAf v Pak, Nov 2010

ODIs played: five (April 2009 to Nov 2010)

Highest team total: 317/5 in 50 ov by SAf v Pak, 8 Nov 2010