MUSCAT: In a first for any sports associations in the Sultanate of Oman, a sports-centric health insurance policy has been inked between Oman Cricket (OC) and a leading insurance company.
The long-term policy arrangement will ensure that the national team cricketers currently in South Africa, en route to play the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe which will held on June 18-July 9, will be covered for any injuries or health issues.
Confirming the three-year deal between OC and Dhofar Insurance Company, Alkesh Josh’s, OC treasurer, said: “This is the first time that an exclusive sports-centric health policy has been introduced in the Sultanate of Oman. This is one-of-its-kind health insurance policy for its national team players. We are happy to have taken the pioneering step.
“This policy ensures that the national team players do not have worry, God forbid, in case of any injury happening as they will be provided the best healthcare and flown to any part of the world for the best of the treatment. From air travel to getting the treatment from the best experts, they would be taken care by Oman Cricket.”
Joshi said: “The policy has provided a great relief for the players, who can now focus on what they do the best: performance on the field.”
“We have the biggest mission ahead for Oman Cricket as our players attempt to make history by qualifying to the ICC Cricket World Cup. The Zimbabwe Qualifier is the ultimate test for our players, and we wanted them to go into the tournament in the best shape and mindset,” added Joshi.
A former domestic cricketer himself, Joshi said: “We have never had so much talent in one squad in recent times. Be it Bilal Khan, the highest wicket-taker during ICC World Cricket League Division 2, or skipper Zeeshan Maqsood, who was named the ICC Associate Player of the Year or Jatinder Singh, one of the most flamboyant strikers. We have a balanced squad with the selection made on pure merit and horses for courses policy. I am sure, we will be no pushovers in Zimbabwe.”
Oman are among the ten teams who will vie for the two available Cricket World Cup slots to be played in India later this year. Divided into two groups, Duleep Mendis-coached Oman are clubbed with World Cup winner Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE in Group B. Group A comprises hosts Zimbabwe, two-time winners West Indies, Nepal, Netherlands and United States.
Incentives doubled for Zimbabwe Qualifier
With the stakes high in Zimbabwe, Joshi said that “OC has doubled the players bonuses for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.”
He added: “After the team finished second in Division 2, we increased their monthly contracts significantly and the incentives have been doubled. The idea is that players shouldn’t worry anything other than their display on the field. We have declared incentives and have also chalked out a plan to reward them on each match performances.”
He added:“World Cup Qualifier will be a great test for our cricketers on how to handle pressure while playing against Test-playing nations and former World Cup champions. We have a difficult challenge but there is nothing impossible in sports. The players have worked hard, and it is now the time for them to deliver. We strongly back them and hope they make the country proud with their performances at one of the biggest stages in world cricket.”
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