Est. October 2007 · UAE's Largest Cricket Academy
Our Story
From 11 youngsters at a corner net of Sharjah International Cricket Stadium in 2007 to the UAE's largest cricket academy — this is the Desert Cubs journey.
The Desert Cubs Story
Legends of The Future
Desert Cubs Cricket Academy is the largest, best-equipped registered cricket academy in the Gulf region. Born from a passion by founder Presley Polonnowita to nurture young talent into great sportsmen and sportswomen, we have grown from a modest group of 11 youngsters at a corner net of Sharjah International Cricket Stadium to the UAE's premier cricket institution.
We are a registered academy in UAE, affiliated with the Emirates Cricket Board, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Cricket Council, Sharjah Cricket Council, and Ajman Cricket Council. Our coaches hold ICC certifications, and our programme is designed with a well-structured curriculum using the latest equipment and technology.
Our 2024/2025 revenue of USD 1.63 million reflects a business model that is scalable, profitable, and built on steady year-on-year growth — proof that when you invest in young talent, everything else follows.
ECB Affiliated
Emirates Cricket Board
ICC Certified
Coaching Standards
GCCA Founding Member
Global Council
Dubai Sports Council
Registered Academy
What Drives Us
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
"To be the best Cricket Academy in UAE admired for its effectiveness, methods, quality and performance."
Our long-term goal is to establish a Sporting Centre of Excellence with training and coaching facilities for all major sports in the Gulf, producing 'LEGENDS OF THE FUTURE' who can adapt to the current and future challenges of the domestic and international sports arena.
Our Mission
"To produce quality sportsmen and sportswomen who can respond well to the current and future challenges of Domestic and International Cricket."
We focus on embedding basic skills in young athletes at the starting point of their careers — coaching curricula designed to gradually instil all the necessary skills so they are fully equipped for challenges of different forms of the game.
The People Behind the Academy
Executive Team
The leadership team that built Desert Cubs from 11 students into a USD 1.63M academy and the largest cricket institution in the Gulf.
Kunal Seth
Chairman
Desert Cubs Cricket Academy UAE &
Global Council for Cricket Academies (GCCA)
Presley Polonnowita
Founder & CEO
Desert Cubs Cricket Academy UAE &
President, Global Council for Cricket Academies (GCCA)
Anoj Silva
Director
Desert Cubs Cricket Academy UAE
Executive Committee Member, GCCA
Farah Polonnowita
Head of Finance & HR
Head of Finance, HR &
Administration, Desert Cubs UAE
"We aim to transform our Cubs into Legends of the Future — and their journey begins right here with us at Desert Cubs."
— Presley Polonnowita, Founder & CEO
18 Years of Growth
Key Milestones
Oct 2007 — Desert Cubs founded with 11 youngsters at Sharjah International Cricket Stadium practice nets by Presley Polonnowita.
Moved to Sharjah English School — still our flagship centre with 6 natural grass turf pitches and floodlights.
Expanded to Dubai College, Jumeirah and Deira International School, Festival City.
Toured England & Wales with 165 participants — the largest cricket tour ever by a UAE academy with 7 teams.
First UAE cricket academy to tour South Africa — Cape Town.
First UAE cricket academy to tour Australia (Brisbane). Built 4 international-standard natural grass pitches at SES.
First ECB Women's League winners. Growing our girls cricket programme.
Hosted India legend Ravichandran Ashwin for the annual awards ceremony — Hotel InterContinental Dubai.
First UAE academy to tour Zimbabwe (Harare). Opened first overseas branch in Melbourne, Australia. Hosted Jonty Rhodes masterclass.
First sports facility management agreement with SIS, Al Qusais. Toured South Africa (Pretoria, Johannesburg, Rustenburg). Won ECB U16 National League.
Founded the Global Council for Cricket Academies (GCCA). Toured England with 220 participants. Hosted ICCA Global Academy Championship in Nottinghamshire.
First GCCA T20 Championship in Sharjah. Toured Brisbane with 9 teams. Won ECB U16 National League 2024-2025.
Toured Sri Lanka with 150 delegates. Opened Baseline Sports Academy (DIP) — UAE's first dedicated indoor cricket facility. Reached Apple International School, Al Karama.
On The Field
Trophy Cabinet
ECB Women's League Champions
2017
First ever ECB Women's League title — making UAE history.
ECB U17 National League
2017–2018
League Champion & Runner-up of the ECB Under 17 National Academy League.
ECB U14 National League
2018–2019
Winner of the ECB Under 14 National Academy League.
ECB U19 National League
2019–2020
Winner of the ECB Under 19 National Academy League.
ECB U16 National League
2020–2021
Winner of the ECB Under 16 National Academy League.
ECB U16 National League
2024–2025
Winner of the ECB Under 16 National Academy League — back on top!
Official Affiliations & Credentials
Trusted by Cricket's Governing Bodies
Be Part of the Legacy
Join 15,000+ alumni who started their cricket journey at Desert Cubs. 6 training centres across Dubai & Sharjah. Coaching for ages 4–19.
