Brian Bell and Company awarded naming rights for Regional Women's Tournament

The International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia - Pacific (EAP) office today announced that PNG's premier retailer Brian Bell and Co. had secured naming rights to the region's first tournament for women to be held in Port Moresby from September 10 - 16

ICC Development (East Asia-Pacific) Media Release

16-Jun-2006

Japan and PNG will contest the Brian Bell EAP Women's Cricket Challenge that will involve a series of three, 50 over one day matches played under ICC playing conditions. The winner of the series will move through to the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier, likely to be held during 2007, with the top two teams in this event qualifying for the 2009 ICC Women's World Cup in Australia.

"Being the first ICC tournament for women to be played in the EAP region we are very excited that a respected and community focused PNG organisation such as Brian Bell and Co. has seen fit to provide such significant support to this event," said ICC Regional Development Manager Tim Anderson.

"A key objective of the ICC Development Program is to facilitate more corporate and government involvement in cricket within member countries and therefore Brian Bell and Company's association with this tournament is greatly appreciated," added Anderson.

Brian Bell and Co. has contributed 60,000 kina (US$20,000) towards the tournament, with further event costs being covered by the ICC Development Program.

Brian Bell and Company founder and Managing Director, and PNB Cricket Board Patron, Sir Brian Bell said;

"The participation of females in both social and competitive sport is a great positive for all communities and should be encouraged. Brian Bell and Co. is therefore proud to be associated with the EAP Women's Cricket Challenge and the continued development of women's cricket in PNG."

The PNG Cricket Board will host the Brian Bell. EAP Women's Cricket Challenge in conjunction with the ICC regional office, with this being the first ICC tournament conducted in PNG.

"PNG is the leading cricket country in the ICC's East Asia - Pacific region and we consider the granting of this tournament a reward for the outstanding progress cricket has made here over recent years. It is a great honour to be the host and with the generous support of Brian Bell and Co. we will do everything in our power to make this event a highlight on this year's PNG sporting calendar," said PNG Cricket Chairman Mick Nades.