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UAE among 4 nations for ODI Status
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Mazhar Khan |
UAE is one of the four countries identified by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for Test
and one-day status over the next decade.
This decision was arrived at the two-day meeting of the Development Committee of the
ACC held in Colombo over the weekend.
The committee has thrown its weight behind an ambitious objective which will see two
more countries in Asia ready for GDI status in 2005 and Test status in 2010.
The committee went a step ahead and narrowed down four countries UAE, Singapore,
Nepal and Malaysia. These countries have been identified as "fast track" countries based
on their "potential for moderate to rapid growth in interest, participation and performance."
The development of cricket in these fast track countries will be prioritised and they will receive
a proportionally greater share of the proposed $36 million development expenditure.
When questioned as to the feasibility of this plan, Mazhar Khan, administrator, Emirates
Cricket Board (ECB), who represented the board at the Colombo meeting, said that the
grading process was just a step in the right direction. "The committee has a vision for the
game in Asia and this is just the first step in this direction," Khan stated.
"It is the vision of the ACC under Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia and Duleep Mendis to see that the
game is promoted as per the wishes of the ICC," Khan added while terming the decision as
"realistic and necessary".
The ACC Development Committee also revealed a busy schedule over the next five years.
This included the continuation of the Asian Test Championship played for the first time
in 1999 - in 2002.
In addition, the Asia Cup will be expanded to six teams when it is next played in 2002,
an under-19 Asia Cup will begin in 2001 and will be played every two years thereafter, and an
under-15 and under-17 Asian Championship will be held every year.
"The basic idea is to see the game blossoming in the right direction and at all levels, starting
from the juniors," Khan stated.
Among others those who attended the meeting were Thilanga Sumathipala, President
of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, P. Krishnasamy (Malaysia), J. Shah (Nepal),
Anil Kalaver (Singapore) and Mendis, who was made the chairman of the ACC Development Committee.
Sumathipala later announced that the Development Committee had one overriding
goal: "To make Asia the strongest cricketing region in the world."
Tuesday, October 10, 2000.
source : Gulf Today.
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