The UAE acknowledges Shyam Bhatia’s cricket initiatives with the prestigious fifth 'Sports Imprint Award' from the Dubai Sports Council and Watani Al Emarat Foundation

By K.R. Nayar

Dubai: Efforts that enhance the UAE’s sports sector through humanitarian initiatives never go unacknowledged. This year, Shyam Bhatia, an Indian businessman and an ardent cricket aficionado, has been awarded one of the UAE’s most prestigious awards for his consistent efforts to spread positive values through cricket. The government has acknowledged his cricket museum, which is now one of the world’s largest museums in the game, and that his numerous years of philanthropic efforts in the sports field, deserve to be appreciated.

 

Shyam Bhatia receives the 'Sports Imprint Award'

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, Bhatia was presented the fifth ‘Sports Imprint Award’ at a function held at the World Trade Centre and attended by UAE’s top sports authorities and eminent personalities.

 

The elite gathering for the award function 

The value of this recognition can be gauged from the story behind this special award. This is the fifth time that the ‘Sports Imprint Award’ has been conferred as part of the Watani Al Emarat Humanitarian Work Award. Sports was first introduced to the annual ceremony during the 17th edition of the Award. It was announced that the ‘Sports Imprint Award’ aims to spread a culture of humanitarian work and encourage the spirit of giving back to society through sports. It also seeks to promote voluntary social work within the community.

 

Shyam Bhatia with the award

The 'Sports Imprint Award’ is a joint initiative by the Dubai Sports Council and Watani Al Emarat Foundation. It is an annual event held under the framework of the Watani Al Emarat Humanitarian Work Award. It was decided that every year, sports organizations, various institutions, and individuals in the sports sector, would be picked for the award. The theme of this award is meant to underscore the importance of community initiatives that successfully meet humanitarian and societal goals in the sports field.

 

Bhatia is the second individual to receive this award. The first award was bestowed on three leading institutions in the UAE. The Landmark Group received the inaugural edition of the 'Sports Imprint Award', in recognition of its contributions to promoting sports and physical activity across all segments of society. They support social health initiatives by organizing a walkathon for diabetes awareness.

 

View of Shyam Bhatia museum 

The second edition of the award was clinched by the real estate developer Nakheel. Their efforts at promoting a balanced lifestyle for communities were acknowledged. Their initiatives include creating top-class modern sports facilities which include dedicated cycling and running tracks, sports fields, and gardens. The Al Khayyat Investment Group was the third recipient of the award for its initiatives aimed at promoting the practice of sports within society and providing modern equipment and devices to facilitate this goal.

 

The first individual to be honoured with this award was the international French footballer Mamadou Sakho. He had played for top clubs like Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the French national football team. Sakho was presented the Award for his efforts through the 'Amsak' charitable initiative. This was established to support the underprivileged by constructing stadiums across the African continent.

 

Inside view of the Shyam Bhatia museum 

Bhatia's remarkable service to spread values through cricket, which began in Dubai, has resulted in reaching out to underprivileged children in the most remote parts of the world through his ‘Cricket for Care’ charity. This recognition from the UAE government could lead Bhatia to realize his dream of relocating his museum from his residence to a location that can be open for the public. Bhatia’s museum showcases a huge collection of rare and significant memorabilia presented by the legends of the game. It has provided visitors of all ages and budding cricketers a knowledgeable journey through the sport's history.

The Dubai Sports Council, through a statement, said: “'Sports Imprint Award' reflects the UAE's commitment to acknowledging efforts that enhance the country’s sports sector. This Award serves as a heartfelt appreciation for Shyam Bhatia's significant contributions to the sports industry, notably highlighted by his establishment of the world's largest cricket museum.” They further elaborated that Bhatia's commitment and philanthropic efforts in the sports field extended to organizing an annual awards ceremony in the UAE, aimed at acknowledging and nurturing excellence in cricket. 

 

This award celebrates the accomplishments of both top male and female cricketers, as well as match officials, by presenting them with cash prizes and commemorative awards. During this ceremony, annual prizes and scholarships are bestowed upon the winners by esteemed cricket legends.

 

The award winners with the officials 

Bhatia’s museum, which is now in Dubai's Jumeirah area and had opened on April 18, 2010, is now recognized as the largest and most significant venue on the global stage for cricket enthusiasts and historians alike. Among his recent collections is the heaviest cricket book in the world, weighing 25 kg. The museum library contains rare books, many of which are over a century old. The Dubai Sports Council announced that they will continue to encourage athletes, sports enthusiasts, and businessmen to embrace the ethos of giving back to the country, society, and the sports community.

 

The collaboration between the Dubai Sports Council and Watani Al Emarat Foundation will also continue to promote the culture of humanitarianism and foster a spirit of philanthropy within society through sports. Bhatia received this award soon after his return from Dharmasala, India, where he had distributed cricket kits to budding cricketers in the presence of former BCCI President Anurag Thakur during the final Test match of the recently concluded India-England series.