By Dr Sameera Aziz
The Festival of Cricket – Women’s Edition 2026, approved by the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), will be held on Friday, 30 January 2026, at Sports Yard, Sports City, Al Khobar, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Organized by Global India Saudi Arabia, the one-day event is designed as a community cricket festival rather than a traditional competitive tournament. It aims to bring women and young girls together in a safe, inclusive, and celebratory environment while supporting the long-term growth of women’s cricket and grassroots sports in the Kingdom.
The festival will run from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM and is expected to attract more than 3,500 spectators. Over 300 women and schoolgirl athletes, representing more than 30 teams, are set to participate.
This is short-format cricket for accessibility and safety. The Festival of Cricket will follow a short-format structure specifically designed to encourage participation and spectator engagement. Matches will be played as five-over games using soft tennis balls, ensuring safety and ease of play for beginners while maintaining fast-paced action.
The programme includes a dedicated Women’s Tournament, a parallel Inter-School Girls Edition, league-stage matches followed by knockout rounds, and continuous matches throughout the day. This format allows experienced players and first-time participants to compete together in a supportive environment.
The event focuses on participation, confidence, and community. The Women’s Edition of the Festival of Cricket was created to offer women and young girls—many of whom may be experiencing organized cricket for the first time—a welcoming platform to build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging through sport.
The initiative promotes women’s participation in sport, strengthens grassroots cricket culture, and positions sport as a bridge for community integration and social connection.
Participants from all nationalities and backgrounds are welcome, with strong representation from schools, working professionals, and community groups. The emphasis remains on enjoyment and participation rather than elite performance.
This is aimed to be a full community festival experience. Beyond cricket matches, the event will feature live commentary, family and children’s activity zones, food stalls, community booths, entertainment segments, and professional photography and digital coverage. These elements position the Festival of Cricket as a family-friendly community celebration anchored in sport.
The Festival of Cricket is organized by Global India Saudi Arabia, a community organization recognized for volunteer-led cultural and sporting initiatives that promote inclusion, participation, and engagement.
The organizing team envisions the Festival of Cricket as a scalable platform, with future editions planned across women’s, men’s, school, and wider community formats.
The President of the festival is Mr. Anil Malpani, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Mr. Alok Kanekar, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is Mr. Shamroze Mohideen, and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is Mr. Vivek Kedia.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Anil Malpani, President of the Festival of Cricket, said the event is rooted in inclusivity and community values.
He stated that the Women’s Edition creates an opportunity for women and young girls to experience cricket with confidence and pride, adding that the festival goes beyond competition by focusing on participation, encouragement, and bringing families and communities together through sport. He further noted that by involving schools, volunteers, and community partners, the festival contributes to the sustainable growth of cricket and sports culture in the region.
Media organizations are invited to cover women’s and school-level matches, first-time participants, youth stories, women empowerment narratives, and broader community and family engagement. Interviews with organizers, volunteers, and players will be available during the event.
The Festival of Cricket maintains an active digital presence across multiple platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), providing regular updates and coverage.
Registration: https://forms.gle/Y8rrEQMwT7dWRWfc7
