SS Lootah Spinners crowned Sprite Cricket Stars Champions for 2013

- 9000 fans attend Finals at Dubai Cricket Stadium -

Dubai, UAE – 25 September 2013 – SS Lootah Spinners from Dubai have won the 2013 Sprite Cricket Stars tournament, beating Al Jaber Blazers in the Final played out in front of more than 9000 fans at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

SS Lootah Spinners were presented with the Sprite Cricket Stars trophy by former Pakistan international cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, who has been an ambassador for the 2013 tournament since its official launch back in May.

This year's tournament, under the patronage of the Ministry of Labour, and in partnership with Coca-Cola Middle East, saw 16 teams and over 320 players battle it out over five months for the right to be crowned 2013 Sprite Cricket Stars Champions for the UAE.

The inaugural Sprite Cricket Stars tournament first took place in 2011, when the mission was to find the best cricketers in labour accommodations. Such was the success of the tournament that the decision was taken to open the event up to the masses, with all residents in UAE invited to compete in the 2013 games – making it the biggest and most successful Sprite Cricket Stars tournament to date.

Shoaib Akhtar, Sprite Cricket Stars ambassador, comments: “Since coming on board as an ambassador for the Sprite Cricket Stars program, I have been extremely impressed by the standard of cricket on display, and as expected, the Finals did not disappoint.
“Aside from uncovering this cricket talent, the Sprite Cricket Stars program has touched the lives of over 150,000 people across the UAE, from labourers to schoolchildren, and I have seen first-hand the unbelievable enthusiasm that this has generated among the communities. Congratulations to SS Lootah Spinners on their deserved victory, and we hope to see them defend their crown for 2014!”

Speaking about the program, Antoine Tayyar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Middle East, said: “Firstly, we would like to congratulate our Sprite Cricket Stars Champions for 2013, SS Lootah Spinners, and all of the players and fans who have come together from across the UAE to make this tournament very special.

“We are very proud of The Sprite Cricket Stars Program because it promotes a fresh approach to exercise. This program stands for passion for sport, self-expression, and unleashing that inner spark, just like the Sprite brand itself. We have seen first-hand the unbelievable enthusiasm and love for the game of cricket and Sprite Cricket Stars, and we're confident that the program will go from strength to strength in the years to come.”

Sprite Cricket Stars Champions, SS Lootah Spinners, receive AED 50,000 in prize money, with the runners-up, Al Jaber Blazers, receiving AED 25,000.

Final Scorecard:
SS Lootah Spinners – 111 Runs for 7 Wickets
Al Jaber Blazers – 76 Runs for 4 Wickets