Jebel Sifah welcomes Oman’s largest obstacle race ‘The Spartan Race’ for the 4th consecutive year
MUMBAI: Former captain Sourav Ganguly is set to take charge as the head of India’s cricket board this month, completing his transition from star player to a top administrator.
The 47-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2008, filed his nomination for the president’s post of the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) on Monday for the elections to be held on October 23.
Since 2017, the BCCI is being run by administrators appointed by the Supreme Court after its office-bearers failed to implement administrative reforms within the world’s richest national cricket body.
The Court-appointed administrators will hand over responsibilities once the board members elect the new office bearers during the October 23 elections.
“I’m happy I’ll say because it’s a very important time in Indian cricket administration because of all that’s happened in the last three years,” Ganguly told reporters after filing his nomination at the BCCI headquarters.
“To be a position where I can make a difference along with a team would be extremely satisfying. So hopefully in the next few months we can put everything in place and bring back normalcy in Indian cricket.”
Cricket is almost a religion in India. Its star players are the highestprofile athletes and enjoy rockstar status in the world’s second most populous country.
Ganguly has the support of most members of the board and could end up as the lone candidate for the president’s post. He would then be elected unopposed.
The former left-handed batsman, who played 113 Tests and 311 one-day internationals and led India to 21 Test wins, has already been an administrator for his home state association.
He was part of the BCCI’S technical panel in the past and also part of a three-member Cricket Advisory Committee, alongside Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
Ganguly said he had never aspired to be BCCI chief but hoped his experience as a former captain would stand him in good stead.
“We have lot of things to do, to get the administration in order,” he said.
“Cricket on the field has been brilliant for India, the team has played exceptionally well.
“My biggest focus will be first-class cricket. I have been very vocal on looking after first-class players because that’s your base, that’s your strength.”
Jay Shah, son of Home Minister Amit Shah, filed his nomination to become BCCI secretary.
I am happy I’ll say because its a very important time in Indian cricket administration because of all that’s happened in the last three years SOURAV GANGULY BCCI President-nominee
MUSCAT: Adrenaline seekers are gearing up for this year’s Spartan Trifecta race, hosted at Muscat’s premier getaway destination, Jebel Sifah. Taking place on November 15 and 16, the world-famous obstacle race and Oman’s biggest sports tourism event is returning to the idyllic resort town for the fourth year. This year’s edition will be the event’s second Trifecta weekend in the Sultanate, following the successful GCC and MENA region’s first ever Trifecta which took place in Jebel Sifah in 2018. What’s more, 2019 will see the introduction of the first ever Hurricane Heat 4-hour endurance race, where teams will compete on and off the Spartan race course.
“It is our pleasure to host the Spartan race once again in Oman. It is a massively successful event which is growing year on year, and a great representation of what we’re trying to achieve in the development of the sports tourism sector with participants from within Oman and internationally,” said Maitha al Mahrouqi, Under-secretary, Ministry of Tourism. “The annual event is a clear demonstration of how sports and tourism sectors can work together to advance national interests and offer world class events.”
Ahmed Dabbous, CEO at Muriya, added, “We take great pride in Jebel Sifah being the destination of choice for one of Oman’s biggest tourist sport events. Each year we ensure that the Spartan race in Jebel Sifah offers a race that is its first in the region, and this year we do so with the Hurricane Heat. Jebel Sifah has become a hub for some of the Sultanate’s most exciting and popular sports and leisure events, and provides the perfect backdrop whilst offering visitors an array of world class amenities.”
Growing in popularity year upon year, participants from all over the world are expected to show off their fitness prowess at Jebel Sifah. The Trifecta weekend offers all three Spartan races including the 5 km Sprint, 13 km Super and 21 km Beast, giving challengers the opportunity to complete all three to become a member of the global Spartan Trifecta Tribe, which requires Spartans to complete three races within a calendar year. The brandnew Hurricane Heat also offers a team-based endurance challenge, each designed uniquely according to the destination. In addition to the list of adult courses is the Spartan Kids Race, suitable for the youngest of Spartans with the following distances for each age group: 800 metres for 4-7 years, 1.2 km for 8-11 years and 3 km for 12-14 years.
A 40-minute drive from Muscat and a world away from the stress of everyday life, Jebel Sifah is nestled between the towering peaks of the Hajar Mountains and the tranquil crystal waters of the Arabian Sea. Since its launch in 2008, Jebel Sifah has become Muscat’s premier getaway destination offering premium facilities and world-class infrastructure. The development is a burgeoning community that hosts a wide variety of freehold properties, the 9-hole Jebel Sifah Golf Course designed by Peter Harradine, the Sifawy Boutique Hotel, the Bank Beach Club, and a range of restaurants, shops and leisure facilities.