Cricket match to set the ball rolling for Mela festival

Published on Thursday 6 August 2009 10:17

A CRICKET match between Edinburgh's Iman cricket players and a Scottish president select team will kick-start the Mela festivities at Pilrig Park this weekend.

The Mela Cricket match will take place at Leith Academy Park from 4pm tomorrow , with Edinburgh-based Iman cricket club taking on a president's select team featuring several Saltires cricket players, as well as Edinburgh rugby players and staff.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, chair of the Mela board, will bowl the first ball at the Mela cricket match and said: "I think the idea of a community based cricket match between local youngsters, professional cricket players and members of the council is a fantastic way to begin this year's Mela Festival."

There will also be musical entertainment from Pulse of the Place samba band. Cricket Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby team will also have stalls at the event.

Event organisers say it will be the biggest yet with around 50,000 people expected to attend. The event will feature performers from around the world, including Africa, Iran, Pakistan, Japan, Singapore and India.