'Papare' band to add spice to Dubai ODIs

The UAE may be the Pakistan cricket team’s adopted home with support to match, but at the first One-Day International at Dubai Sports City on Friday, there will also be a touch of Sri Lanka in evidence.

That is because among the crowd will be a papare band, playing a style of music that is common place at cricket matches from Dambulla to Hambantota and everywhere in between, including the capital city Colombo.

George Hettiaratchy, a Sri Lanka supporter who has lived in Dubai for the past 27 years, has helped coordinate the band’s presence at Friday’s match and he said papare music was a longstanding part of Sri Lankan life.

“I believe this type of music was introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese when they ruled the coastal areas of the island nation,” he said.

“Papare is very popular among spectators, especially during sports events. We Sri Lankans, by nature, like to enjoy by listening to music and dancing.”

Hettiaratchy said the music which features drums and trumpets would enhance what is already expected to be a great atmosphere at the venue for the opening match of the five-game series.

“Playing papare in the stands while all Sri Lankan spectators are waving colourful lion flags and wearing national-coloured t-shirts will certainly add glamour to the occasion,” he said.

“I assure you there will be a carnival atmosphere in the stands as our motto is ‘win or lose, enjoy the game.’”

And he said he felt sure the Sri Lanka players would be lifted by the sound of the papare band playing during the match.

“All of them will have been brought up since their school days enjoying papare music while playing and it has become second nature to them,” said Mr Hettiaratchy.

Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager – Sports Business at Dubai Sports City, said: “We are delighted to have a papare band playing at Friday’s match as it will add an extra dimension to what should be a superb occasion with a great atmosphere.

“We hope the music and colour will ensure spectators will be entertained by events off the field as much as they are by events on it.

“Offering this experience is all part of Dubai Sports City’s commitment to create a fan-friendly environment and put fans first.

“We have done that through our extensive use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Audioboo and we are also doing it through the provision we have made for Jumma Prayers at 1220, very close to the stadium, and there will be signs directing people to the area where they will take place.

“We look forward to a fantastic one-day and Twenty20 series, starting with the three matches hosted by Dubai Sports City,” he added.

The first three matches of the five-game ODI series take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on November 11, 14 and 18, with all matches starting at 3pm and tickets are still available.

The series then moves to Sharjah (November 20) and Abu Dhabi (November 23 and 25).

Tickets for the matches in Dubai start from just Dh25 and are available by ‘phone and online from Box Office ME, Time Out Dubai and the Ticketing Co., as well as numerous outlets in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with details available at

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