Cricket development in Africa

With Africa hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 and a record four African nations participating in the event it is opportune to take a look at recent cricket developments in this part of the world.

The ICC's Development Program in Africa began on October 1st 1997. Over the course of the last five-and-a-half years the Program has taken the sport to new territories and raised participation levels and coaching standards.

In that time four African nations - Botswana, Lesotho, Morocco and St Helena - have joined the ICC as new Affiliate Members. Three countries in which cricket was already established - Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria - have also been able to satisfy the criteria of Associate Membership and have been upgraded to that level.

This means that including the four nations competing at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, there are now 15 ICC members in Africa.

"The ICC Development Program has had a positive effect on cricket throughout Africa," said ICC Regional Development Manager, Hoosain Ayob.

"Levels of participation have increased and through focusing investment on the education and training of coaches we have seen a marked increase in standards."

Namibia excelled in reaching the final of the ICC Trophy 2001 and Uganda showed their emerging pedigree in the same tournament by winning all five group matches before losing a play-off to UAE.

Tournaments have been spread around the continent with Kenya successfully hosting the ICC's 10 Full Members in the ICC Knockout 2000 and Namibia organising a six nations tournament involving Kenya, Canada, Netherlands, Sri Lanka A and Zimbabwe A.

ICC junior events have also been held in Botswana, Uganda and Zambia.

The Development Program has coordinated coaching courses from the very basic through to the highly specialised. Week-long intensive coaching camps have been conducted in emerging nations and some of the more established nations are in the process of establishing coaching academies.

Development seminars have also been held for central and southern Africa (2001) and western Africa (2002) and a fast bowling clinic was held in Johannesburg in 2002 for talented bowlers from around Africa.

As well as the on-field advances, the Program has been working to spread the 'spirit of cricket' through addressing issues such as HIV/Aids awareness and the eradication of poverty.

The ICC Development Program is funded by the profits of the ICC Champions Trophy. For more information on cricket development around the world visit the development section of the ICC website www.icc.cricket.org.

Media contacts:

Brendan McClements: 083 417 5492
Jon Long: 083 417 5518