Cricket has long been played here on this small island in the Persian Gulf which comprises about six Arab countries. It has been usually dominated by the English or the Asian community of expatriates who have come to seek better prospects here.

Apart from a ground in the small township of Awali, other grounds are located in Riffa. These are of course all sandy/stone pebbled grounds rolled over and smoothened and matches are played either on the cement pitch laid down permanently or of jute matting.

Junior cricket in Bahrain

Currently, the first Inter school U-13 Cricket tournament with the hard leather ball is being played on the grounds of Riffa. Started two weeks back, this has got about seven expat schools competing in the league. These include the St.Christopher School,Sacred Heart School, Al Mahd Day school, Pakistan school, Pak Urdu school, the Indian school, the largest on the island and a select side from various schools, the BCA Wanderers.

The tournament is being sponsored by Enegrade Sport Drinks and it will continue up till the mid of February 2002.The matches are of 23 overs a side played early morning at 8 am and currently, till the deadline, Sacred Heart are leading the table with two wins fromtwo games.

They beat the St.Christopher school in the opening match and then took the better of the select side of BCA Wanderers by 7 wickets on Friday 30 November.

On 24th November, the Indian school beat the St.Christophers' school, their second loss after succumbing to Sacred Heart in the opening game. The next match due on Friday 7th December will be between the Indian school and the BCA Wanderers.

The tournament is being organised by the BCA and the Bahrain Coaching Academy.

Inter Club Knockout Cup

Apart from the above, cricket is thoroughly enjoyed by other enthusiasts and most of the times, even the Soft Ball version(Tennis ball) is played by chidlren and adults alike.

One such tournament worth a mention is the Annual D.D.B. Inter Club 8-a-side Knockout tournament played at the Handball Stadium. This was the first ever Childrens' Inter Club competition ever played on the island and about ten teams mostly from various sections of the Indian community clubs took part. This was conducted on the lines of the Hong Kong Sixes tournament except that young cricketers got a chance to participate among various other clubs.

The tournament is tentatively being conducted again in December during the forthcoming Eid and National Day holidays (Dec 18). It draws a lot of response from promising young cricketers especially since it is played on the green turf of the Handball courts.

Again at least 10 or more clubs are expected to field their young sides for this One Day knock out competition, being organised with the cooperation of the Bahrain Handball Association.

© ICC