The Bahrain Cricket Federation (BCF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dinesh Muthuraman as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking an important milestone in the Federation’s ambitious strategy to elevate Bahrain cricket to new heights and establish the Kingdom as one of the region’s leading cricketing hubs.
The appointment reflects BCF’s long-term vision of transforming Bahrain into a competitive international cricketing nation, supported by strong grassroots development, professional administration, high-performance programmes, modern infrastructure, sustainable commercial partnerships and increased opportunities to host regional and international cricket events.
Bringing International Experience to Bahrain Cricket
Dinesh brings 18 years of extensive experience with the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA), where he began his professional career as a Development Officer and progressed through several leadership positions before becoming Chief Executive Officer.
A former Malaysian national cricketer, Dinesh represented Malaysia from 2004 to 2011, bringing valuable experience as both an international player and a cricket administrator.
His professional expertise spans grassroots and youth development, national team pathways, high-performance programmes, international tournament management, commercial development and sports administration.
Dinesh has worked closely with the ICC, ACC and cricket boards worldwide, building strong relationships across the international cricket community. His experience includes serving as Host Tournament Director for the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia, Tournament Director for cricket at the 2023 Asian Games in China, and Head of Technical Delegates for cricket at the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia, along with organising several ICC and ACC tournaments.
A Bold Vision: Making Bahrain a Regional Cricket Hub
Announcing the appointment, Mr. Mohammed Mansoor, Executive Board Member of the Asian Cricket Council, and also Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Bahrain Cricket Federation outlined the Federation’s ambitious direction.
“Our ambition goes far beyond improving our international rankings. We want to build Bahrain into a respected cricketing nation and position the Kingdom as a preferred cricket hub in the Gulf and wider Asian region.
We envision a Bahrain where cricket is accessible to every aspiring young player, where our national teams compete confidently on the international stage, and where the Kingdom becomes a preferred destination for international tournaments, high-performance training camps and cricket development programmes.
To achieve this, we must build a strong, professionally managed and financially sustainable Federation, supported by world-class development pathways, quality infrastructure, strategic partnerships and commercial opportunities.
Dinesh brings the international experience, leadership and professional relationships required to help translate this vision into reality. His understanding of Associate Member cricket, high-performance development, international tournament operations and commercial opportunities will be invaluable as we take Bahrain cricket into its next phase of growth.”
Developing Bahraini Cricket Talent from Government Schools
Highlighting one of the Federation’s key strategic priorities, Mr. Mansoor emphasised that the future of Bahrain cricket must begin in the Kingdom’s schools, particularly government schools, creating opportunities for young Bahraini boys and girls to discover and develop their cricketing potential.
“One of our most important objectives is to develop a new generation of homegrown Bahraini cricketers. We want to introduce structured cricket training programmes beginning at government schools, identifying young talent early and providing clear pathways from school cricket to academies, domestic competitions and ultimately our national teams.
This initiative will be pursued in alignment with the youth and sports development vision of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, whose leadership continues to inspire the development of sport and young sporting talent across the Kingdom.
Our goal is to make cricket a sport that Bahraini children can embrace, participate in and aspire to represent their country internationally.
We also want to create stronger opportunities for women’s cricket, invest in the development of coaches and officials, and ensure that the benefits of cricket reach the wider community.”
The Federation intends to work closely with relevant government authorities, educational institutions, schools and community stakeholders to progressively develop structured school cricket programmes, talent identification initiatives and age-group competitions.
Strengthening Bahrain’s International Cricket Ambitions
Under the new leadership structure, BCF will focus on developing a comprehensive high-performance strategy aimed at improving the competitiveness of Bahrain’s men’s, women’s and youth national teams.
This will include strengthening coaching structures, expanding international exposure, establishing systematic talent development pathways and building relationships with leading cricketing nations.
The Federation will also explore opportunities to attract international teams for bilateral series, training camps and tournaments, positioning Bahrain as an attractive cricket destination with modern facilities, professional event management and strong regional connectivity.
Commercial development will be another major priority, with increased emphasis on corporate sponsorships, strategic partnerships, tournament opportunities and long-term financial sustainability.
Mr. Mohammad Mansoor added:
“Bahrain has the geographical advantage, international connectivity, sporting ambition and institutional support to become an important centre for cricket in this region.
Our responsibility now is to develop the infrastructure, professional systems and international partnerships necessary to realise that potential.
We want Bahrain cricket to be recognised not only for its performance on the field but also for its professionalism, innovation, inclusiveness and contribution to the global cricket community.”
Mr. Sami Mohammed Ali, President of the Bahrain Cricket Federation, welcomed Dinesh Muthuraman to the organisation and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to the Federation’s future development.
“On behalf of the Bahrain Cricket Federation, I am delighted to welcome Dinesh Muthuraman as our new Chief Executive Officer.
His extensive international experience, understanding of cricket administration and proven involvement in major international events will bring valuable expertise to our organisation.
We look forward to working closely with him to strengthen our domestic cricket structure, enhance the performance of our national teams, expand grassroots and women’s cricket, and develop Bahrain’s capabilities to host international competitions.
We are confident that his appointment will contribute significantly to the continued growth and development of cricket in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
A New Chapter for Bahrain Cricket
In his new role, Dinesh will work closely with the BCF Board, Advisory Board, management, technical teams and stakeholders to implement the Federation’s strategic priorities.
His immediate areas of focus will include strengthening the Federation’s organisational structure, developing grassroots and school cricket, improving national team performance, enhancing domestic competitions, expanding women’s cricket and establishing sustainable commercial and international partnerships.
The appointment represents a significant step in the Federation’s commitment to building a modern, progressive and internationally respected cricket organisation.
With a clear vision, strengthened leadership and a renewed commitment to excellence, the Bahrain Cricket Federation aims to position the Kingdom as a leading regional cricket hub and an increasingly competitive force in international cricket.
