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Shirajiv Sirimane reporting from Dubai...

Sharjah - A Sri Lankan Aniz Moulana has earned a rare honor by being nominated manager of the United Arab Emirates team for the forth-coming 2007 World Cup qualifying round tournament in Kenya next April. Aniz a former Zahirian became an automatic choice of the UAE Cricket board due to his dedication and the fine track record of organising flawless events in UAE.

Since being employed in UAE almost two decades ago he had a passion for cricket, which drove him over 500 miles through the desert to witness international matches being played in the Sharjah.

After moving in to Dubai he was actively involved with the Navalanka Cricket Club and he also played some matches. "Even back in Sri Lanka I was not a very good cricketer.

This is because I did not come from a good cricketing family background and being the eldest of a family of six I had responsibilities," he said.

"But I was in to event organising and when I was in the Jayawadanagama housing scheme I organized several events including cricket tournaments."

Aniz now residing in Sharjah said that his biggest achievement with the willow was 23 runs and he had also taken 2 wickets for Nawalanka Cricket Club in domestic tournaments.

He said that the turning point of him becoming a Cricket administrator was when he organized a 7 a side Cricket tournament in UAE to celebrate 50 years of Independence in Sri Lanka. "There were more than 54 teams for this tournament and it was a much talked about event."

In a bid to recognize his good work the Sharjah Cricket Council (ECB) appointed him to their committee and later CBSF picked him as the liaison officer of the Sri Lanka team for the tri nation tournament in 1998, which involved India and Zimbabwe as well. Due to his good PR organising capabilities he was later assigned to all the Sri Lankan matches as the Liaison officer. Last year he was recommended by the CBSF to the ECB and he was appointed as the Manager of the UAE team for the ACC cricket tournament. Under him the UAE team made a tremendous impact in the tournament winning the final and retaining the ACC trophy last July in Singapore.

Next he was appointed as the assistant event coordinator to the recently concluded Asia Cup Under 15 cricket championships.

He said that Cricket is now on the brink of getting its due place in UAE. "There is a good following to the game specially from the youngsters."

Aniz now having his own computer company said that UAE is seriously preparing for the 2007 World cup-qualifying round tournament, which will be held in Kenya in April.

"We have been grouped along with Kenya, Hong Kong an Namibia. Two victories will give us a place in the plate championships and we are confident that we can enter the next round of the world cup qualifying round."

He said that the Pakistan 'A' and Scotland teams have been invited to play series of practice game in UAE prior to flying to Kenya.

"UAE needs more international recognism for the sport to gain momentum in the country. My aim guide the UAE team to the official world one day ranking status."

He said that his personal aim is to enter full time Cricket management.

Aniz who frequently travels to Sri Lanka said that he closely follows the progress of the Lanka team. "My heart and soul is with them."

A methodical man, he has the entire newspaper clipping neatly filed and he also has a Sri Lankan tee shirt, which was worn by Muralitharan when he was injured in the three-nation tournament in Sharjah. "When Murali was treated for his shoulder injury his shirt was cut and I grabbed this and still keep it as a souvenir."

It is sad to note that though Aniz has been the liaison officer of the Lanka team on many occasions he does not have a single souvenir other than this tee shirt, which he picked up in the dressing room.

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