Ever since the Under-19 World Cup got under way 26 years ago, it has been the biggest launchpad for all aspiring international cricketers.

The first edition in 1988 provided a glimpse of what lay in store. Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed, West Indies’ Brian Lara, England’s Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton, Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and New Zealand’s Chris Cairns were all part of the first global competition held in Australia which was known at that time as the World Youth Cup.

The 50-overs-a-side event has always thrown up an array of future stars including the likes of India’s current best batsman Virat Kohli and the IPL 7’s top pick Yuvraj Singh. Both proved they were destined for big deeds, leading India to glory in the 2000 and 2008 editions of the U19 World Cup.

Another clutch of potential stars are to make an appearance in the UAE when the 10th edition of the tournament gets under way on Friday.

It is for the first time that the UAE plays host to a cricket event of such magnitude, featuring the bestyoung players from all the cricket-playing nations.

The fantastic facilities and stadiums in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah and the pleasant weather provide an ideal setting for the teen stars to showcase their mettle.

It is also a perfect opportunity for the cricket fraternity and the fans in the UAE to head to the grounds. Who knows there may be another Lara or an Inzamam or a Kohli lurking in the teams.

Entry is free which should be an encouragement for all the schools and various cricket academies to troop into the stadiums with their young wards.

Watching cricketers of almost their own age smash sixes, send stumps flying and pluck stun-ning catches can make an impact on their impressionable minds and inspire them to take up the sport. A full house will also be an incentive for the young lads in the middle to push themselves harder in their quest for excellence.

Already some of these cricketers have hit the big league with India’s Sanju Samson emerging as the most promising player of the Indian Premier League last season while their captain Vijay Zol is also a first class cricketer.

UAE boys Muaam Qazi and captain Rohit Singh impressed coach Aaqib Javed so much that he has drafted them into the senior squad heading for the World Twenty20 next month.

The U19 World Cup is serious business for all Test playing nations as can be gauged by the support staff that teams have lined-up for the tournament.

Australia tops the list with former England star Graeme Hick as coach and batting legend Greg Chappell as manager. South Africa have former national coach Ray Jennings guiding them, England have Tim Boon, who was the video analyst of the 2005 Ashes-winning team, as their head coach while New Zealand have roped in former pacer and brother of Kiwi legend Richard Hadlee, Dayle, as their bowling coach.

With such experts involved, expect the cricket to be a keenly-contested affair.

For the UAE, who have qualified for the World Twenty20 and the 2015 World Cup, the U19 World Cup is another chance to improve their standing in world cricket. Go and watch.