China on the fast track to World Cup

Children from Beijing Railway No. 11 Primary School getting jiggy © ACC

A delegation has completed running a six-day course for 30 university-level coaches in China as part of an ongoing programme to establish the sport in the country.

China, who were admitted as an Associate Member of the ICC last year, have ambitions to play international one-day cricket. Cricket Australia (CA) joined forces with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003 to assist Asian countries develop their own coaching set-up to help with their talent identification structure.

Zhang Xioaning, the director of the Multi-ball Games Administration Centre, said: "There are 96 sports in the State Sports Commission but what makes cricket special is that it is a game of the physique, it is a game of the heart, and it is a game of the mind. It is a game for the individual within the team. It is truly a noble game that is perfectly suited to the Chinese people. It is being introduced in China at the perfect time."

During the six-day course, participants were coached by representatives from the ACC and CA. "We were very excited to learn about this great game and we have enjoyed the experience immensely", said Liu Jingmin of Peking University. "Cricket is a very enjoyable sport for boys and girls, young and old alike."

"Never in my life have I seen any country's children pick up the game so quickly", said Rumesh Ratnayake, the ACC's development officer for China. "They had the basics of the game - hitting and throwing - within just five minutes."

Syed Ashraful Huq, the ACC's chief executive, was very upbeat, claiming that China would be playing in the World Cup within 15 years. "All the talent and determination is here already and with the hard work and support of the State, I am sure that cricket will be one more sport with which the Chinese people can bring honour to their country."

Ross Turner, the head of the Australian delegation, was equally impressed. "All the coaches here in the playground and classroom are now my colleagues in the world of cricket. Having seen them work, I too firmly believe that China will one day, sooner rather than later, have a team that will play Australia in a World Cup."