Youngster Mohamed Rishwan was named the Cricketer of the Year for 2013 at a glittering award night held on Friday. Rishwan was also named the Best Batsman of the Year as well. Rishwan made over 588 runs in all competitions in 2013. Mohamed Shafee Saeed was awarded the most promising Player of the Year and Best Bowler of 2013. Shafee took 55 wickets in 2013.
The annual award night, “Cricket Evening” broadcast live of state television – TVM was attended by dignitaries, players, sponsors and parents and other stakeholders. Apart from the top player awards, awards were also given out the best 5 players in the U14, U16 and U19 age groups. Service awards were presented to individuals and clubs who contributed to the development of the game in 2013. Partnership awards were also presented to Maldives Cricket sponsors of 2013. Awards were also presented to Maldivian cricketers who achieved success in regional tournaments in 2013.
A highlight of the evening was the CBM President’s Award and the Best Club award presented for the first time. The President’s Award was presented to for CBM Vice President Faruhath Jaleel for his long service to cricket, particularly for his contribution to development efforts through his academy. Male’ Sports Club was the top club of 2013.
Maldives Cricket’s new Strategic Plan was also unveiled at the awards ceremony. Named ‘Second Innings’ the plan builds on the 2010 – 2013 strategic plan and aims at sustaining the development gains of the past four years while focussing on achieving excellence in the regional tournaments. The five main strategic pillars of the plan are; Sustaining Development, Achieving Excellence, The Business of Cricket, Cricket for All and Infrastructure Development. The plan includes Key Performance Indicators and Key Strategic Initiatives in each pillars.
The Plan has been formulated to address the challenges facing Maldives Cricket and to take advantage of the new opportunities that have arisen with the change of Maldives Cricket from a semi-government body to an independent body in 2008 – the Cricket Board of Maldives. The Plan also builds on the success of the Junior/Youth Development Programme which began in 1999, which has brought a new generation of cricketers to the forefront of Maldives cricket. It takes into account Maldives Cricket obligations and responsibilities as a member of the ACC and ICC, and the requirements of the government as a sponsor and financier. This is a strategic document that will aid and assist Maldives Cricket to fulfil its vision and mission and help in formulating Annual Plans and budgets.
