MCC sign historic Abu Dhabi agreement

Date released: 4 November 2009

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have signed a three-year agreement with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club to become Associate Club partners.

The £30m Zayed International Cricket Stadium The wide-ranging agreement will enable MCC to use the Zayed International Cricket Stadium - where Pakistan and New Zealand are currently playing a series of one-day internationals - and the Zayed cricket academy in Abu Dhabi.

The academy will be re-named the Zayed MCC Cricket Academy, Abu Dhabi.

The partnership will also see the two Clubs working together to develop the facilities in Abu Dhabi and promote the game and Spirit of Cricket in the region.

MCC Chairman Oliver Stocken and Sheikh Nahayan of Abu Dhabi signed the three-year agreement at the Sheikh’s palace.

MCC’s Secretary & Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw, who was also in attendance at the signing, said: "We’re thrilled to be in partnership with Abu Dhabi Cricket Club.

"It’s a first for MCC in the Middle East region and gives us a tremendous opportunity to help develop cricketers throughout the region and closer to home.

Abu Dhabi Cricket Club's logo "Aspiring professionals from the MCC Universities and MCC Young Cricketers will specifically benefit from this joint venture as it will give them vital experience of playing and training abroad, helping them to make the transition to the first-class game.

"We hope this agreement aids the growth of the sport in the region and look forward to working with Abu Dhabi CC."

The MCC-Abu Dhabi CC partnership also includes advertising rights at the Zayed Stadium and reciprocal Member rights such as accommodation and facility hire discounts, and ticket allocations at Lord’s and the Zayed Stadium.

Dilawar Mani, CEO, Abu Dhabi Cricket Club, said: "This is a tremendous boost for UAE [United Arab Emirates] cricket and aspiring juniors.

"We greatly welcome the association with MCC, the most historic cricket club in world, and look forward to a long and durable relationship and MCC’s guidance in developing our facilities."