News DeskDubai, UAE – Dubai witnessed a cricketing celebration last evening as former Indian international cricketer and coach Robin R. Singh unveiled the RSR Scholarships under the Robin Sports Relations (RSR) Cricket Scholarship Programme. The event, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Deira Creek, brought together budding cricketers, school principals, coaches, and special guests in an inspiring evening of sports and recognition.
Adding a royal touch to the ceremony, Sheikh Ali Bin Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of ALMAK GROUP, personally felicitated the young scholarship recipients, marking the occasion as a milestone in the UAE’s cricketing journey. Among the attendees were UAE cricket stars including Aayan Khan, Vrithya Aravind, Vishnu Sukumaran, and former UAE skipper CP Rizwan, who famously led the team to their maiden World Cup win in Australia, 2022.
“Tonight, we are not just celebrating an event, but the rise of cricket in the UAE,” Sheikh Ali said. “From DP World ILT20 to our national team’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the momentum is undeniable, and initiatives like this reflect our commitment to nurturing talent.”
Scholarships That Go Beyond the Pitch
The scholarship programme, a collaborative effort between RSR-Robin Investments FZCO, GEMS Education Schools, and international cricket academies, rewards talent with more than just accolades. Key highlights include:
- Full and partial school tuition fee refunds for the top two players.
- One-year scholarships covering professional coaching, equipment, apparel, and international training tours.
- Opportunities for standout performers to train with English county teams and gain exposure to global T20 franchise scouts.
- Coaching under a panel of cricketing legends: Robin R Singh (India), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies), Debashish Mohanty (India), and T Kumaran (India).
The programme emphasizes not only technical skills but also mental resilience and holistic development, preparing these young athletes for the pressures of professional cricket. Partnerships with international academies, including Texas Cricket Academy (USA) and Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy (India), ensure that players can continue their growth seamlessly, whether in the UAE, the USA, or England.
A Rigorous Selection for Exceptional Talent
From 125 registrations across Dubai schools, only 16 exceptional players earned the coveted scholarships after a series of trials in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Fourteen-year-old Lokesh Reddy from Delhi Private School, Sharjah, topped the competition, while Advay Ghosh of GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai, secured second place. Other talented recipients included Shreyan Pattnaik, Ishan Rajesh, Sairam Ankam, Ayaan Misbah, Agastya Poojary, Rishabh Akashe, Shaarav Puranaik, Eisa Divker, Aarav Somani, Kavan Pandya, Yuvan Patil, Hashim Iqbal, Saloni Pandya, and Arya Jogi.
Speaking about the initiative, Robin Singh said, “Having served as Director of Cricket for the UAE national team, I know where the gaps lie. This programme is designed to bridge them and nurture players into professional, sustainable athletes.”
Banda Srinivasa Babu, Chief Mentor for Expansions at RSR, added, “This scholarship proves that dedication to sports, combined with academics, can open extraordinary pathways. We are grateful to His Excellency Sheikh Ali Bin Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum and our partners at GEMS Education for supporting a thriving cricket ecosystem in the UAE.”
Looking Ahead
With dedicated cricket and fitness academies already operational in Dubai and expansion plans across the UAE underway, RSR Sports is committed to shaping the next generation of cricket stars. Registrations for the next round of scholarships will open on Monday, February 16, 2026, offering another chance for young talents to shine.
For more information log on to: https://rsrcricketacademy.com/
