The
Cricketers Benefit Fund Series(CBFS) was established in 1981 by
Mr. Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, whose main aim was to honour cricketers
of the past and present generation from India and Pakistan, with
benefit purses in recognition of their meritorious services to
the game. Subsequently over the years, the geographical boundaries
of this concept were enlarged, and since then the benefits have
also been extended to players from Australia, New Zealand, Sri
Lanka and the West Indies.
The
history of development of Sharjah as a cricketing venue for the
organisers of the only "Cricketers Benefit Fund Series"
has been of a fairy tale "too-good-to-be-true" nature.
The stadium initially started with a few limited seats and very
modest facilities and now boasts of a 27,000 capacity including
VIP boxes with a television, refrigerator and worldwide telephone
facilities. Moreover, air-conditioned boxes with their own spacious
lounges add to the glamour which is provided by the dazzling array
of film, radio and television personalities that grace each event
- an atmosphere now synonymous with the magic of one day cricket
in Sharjah. If further proof is needed, CBFS held its 50th One
day International during 1990 and now Leads Melbourne and Sydney
amongst the top three principal playing centers of one day cricket
in the world.
What
makes CBFS different from other organisations?Over the years,
over 115 players have been beneficiaries of the scheme devised
by CBFS.The much-talked about 'neutral umpires' concept found
its birth in Sharjah.
One
has to be a spectator to witness the display of the sporting spirit
and congenial match atmosphere in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium,
much of which can be attributed to the appointment of neutral
umpires and its multinational spectators. The case for neutral
umpires has progressively found increasing support and today its
acceptance and more important, its implementation by other cricketing
nations, is a widely accepted reality.Cricket pundits all agree
that the Sharjah Cricket stadium has its own charisma and its
own magic. A last ball six, a last over hat-trick and several
nail-biting finishes have become a feature of Sharjah Cricket.
Arguably, nowhere else in the world, does a Cricket Match generate
this kind of excitement. The unpredictability of the sport has
never been so exemplified as it is on numerous occasions in Sharjah.The
Emirates Cricket Board is now an Associate member of the International
Cricket Council.
What next in Sharjah?
May be the World
Cup one day - WHO KNOWS!!! But someone once said "The Show
Must Go On!"
