SHARJAH: The historic launch of the GloFans High School Cup, accompanied by the trophy launch and award ceremony for the Global High School Cricket Cup, took place at the Hotel Holiday International, Sharjah.
The main event will take place in Sharjah and Ajman with training facilities in Dubai. This year, 20 top school teams from across the globe will be participating in the six-day tournament.
The event was a momentous occasion, bringing together cricket legends, current players, and esteemed personalities from across the cricketing world to celebrate the beginning of this prestigious tournament.
The event was a grand success, highlighted by the unveiling of the tournament’s official trophy, the launch of the theme song, and the presentation of the official t-shirt, all of which contributed to the growing excitement surrounding the upcoming competition.
World Cup veteran, legendary coach and former Australian cricketer, Dav Whatmore, set the tone for the evening with the unveiling of the grand theme song.
Adding an extra layer of prestige to the occasion, Whatmore said, “It is important to nurture young talent and the school cricket players a pivotal role of school in shaping future stars.”
The official t-shirt launch was conducted by Shahzad Altaf, a celebrated UAE player from the 1996 World Cup and the visionary founder of the MS Young Talents Cricket Academy (YTCA). His dedication to developing grassroots cricket in the region was evident as he shared his vision for the tournament and its significance.
A highlight of the event was the engaging chat show hosted by internationally acclaimed sports expert and founder of sports quiz app ‘Golfans’ Sunil Yash Kalra. In a lively discussion with cricket legends, including former Pakistani off-spinner and master of ‘doosra’ Saeed Ajmal and legendary coach Whatmore, Kalra explored the significance of school cricket and its lasting 
impact on their careers. The conversation also touched upon the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in the UAE, sparking enthusiasm among the attendees.
Former Pakistan off-spinner, who mastered ‘doosra’ better than anyone, Saeed Ajmal said, “This tournament will be a great platform to identify young talent. It will help the budding cricketers to understand the commitment and consistency required to play the sport at the highest level. It will certainly enable the young athletes to bring laurels for their country.”
The event attracted a distinguished gathering of current UAE players and former international cricketers, all expressed their support for the Global High School Cricket Cup, recognising it as a crucial platform for inspiring and developing the next generation of cricketing talent.
Shahzad Altaf, Director of the Global High School Cricket Cup and Young Talents Cricket Academy, expressed his gratitude to all the attendees for their participation and support. “This event is not just about launching a tournament; it’s about building a legacy. We are thrilled to have such incredible support from cricket legends and look forward to a successful tournament that will inspire young cricketers globally,” Altaf said.
The Global High School Cricket Cup promises to be a landmark event, setting the stage for young cricketers to showcase their talent on a global scale. The success of the trophy launch and award ceremony is a testament to the passion and commitment of everyone involved in the sport.
