AL KHOBAR – In a season defined by rapid cultural transformation, the Eastern Province has signaled a new era for sports in the Kingdom. The Festival of Cricket – Women’s Edition 2026 recently concluded at Sports Yard, Sports City, transforming a community vision into a professional masterclass of athletic inclusion and governance.
Organized by Global India Saudi Arabia (GISA) in association with the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF), the event was less a standard tournament and more a blueprint for the future of grassroots sports.
The Numbers Behind the Movement
The scale of the festival underscored a massive appetite for women’s cricket in the region. From schoolgirls picking up a bat for the first time to seasoned community players, the turnout was unprecedented.
| Category | Statistics |
| Total Registered Players | 255 |
| Competing Teams | 23 |
| Live Spectators | ~2,500 |
| Top Prize (Champions) | SAR 11,111 |
| Runner-Up Prize | SAR 5,555 |
Professionalism Meets Passion
What set this festival apart was its commitment to professional standards. This wasn’t just a weekend knockabout; it was a disciplined sporting ecosystem. Under the leadership of Anil Malpani (President – FOC), Alok Kanekar (CEO), and Shamroze Mohideen (COO), the festival mirrored international federation standards.
The organizers implemented:
- Centralized Scheduling: Ensuring seamless transitions between 23 teams.
- Appointed Officials: Professional umpires and match officials to maintain the integrity of play.
- Inclusivity by Design: A beginner-friendly format that ensured safety without compromising the competitive spirit.
Beyond the Boundary: The CRIIIO Integration
A critical pillar of the event was the integration of the ICC–SACF CRIIIO grassroots program. Hundreds of additional participants engaged in structured coaching sessions led by certified supervisors. This strategic move ensures that the festival isn’t a “one-off” event but a feeder system for long-term development.
“This initiative was built to strengthen community integration through sport while creating structured opportunities for women to participate with confidence,” remarked Anil Malpani. “When women step onto the field and the community stands behind them, empowerment becomes real and sustainable.”
A Family Affair
The atmosphere at Sports Yard was bolstered by a heavy presence of families, educators, and local associations. The “inclusive character” mentioned by organizers was visible in the stands, where parents and spouses didn’t just spectate—they actively championed the cause.
The financial recognition, including the significant cash prizes for the winners and runners-up, served as a “serious” validation of the players’ efforts, moving the needle from recreational play to recognized competitive sport.
The Verdict
The Women’s Edition 2026 has successfully established a scalable framework. By combining community-led passion with the formal governance of the SACF, GISA has demonstrated how to build a sports property that is both culturally resonant and professionally viable.
As the sun set over Al Khobar, one thing was clear: the “grass ceiling” in Saudi cricket hasn’t just been cracked—it’s been cleared for a boundary.
