ICC 2001 preparations and TV coverage (3 May 1999)

3 May 1999

ICC 2001 preparations and TV coverage

CCA

The weather here has been unbelievably sunny and mild for spring. The ICC inspection team did not see a drop of rain. John Shepherd, ICC Development Officer for the Americas, was pleasantly "surprised at how well the new grass wickets had progressed." Othe members of the ICC Management Committee, Clive Hitchcock, Cricket Operations Manager, and Jorgen Holmen of Denmark will file a report to the ICC including the CCA and "Team Canada 2001."

We shall shortly have grounds, recommended format and a number of other details for discussion and resolution.

The short visit was conducted at a very hectic pace to see the major facilities and to re-visit as many as possible of game and practice venues.

Even with our best efforts, we were unable to do all of these venues. Canadian cricket fans and prospective recruits still suffer from a very poor coverage of cricket on TV and in the public media. This is a major drawback in improving the image and spreading of the game in North America. Baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, golf and other sports have significantly greater coverage and sponsorship dollars. Without some assistance and increased coverage, cricket cannot reach the required levels for grassroots development in Canada and in the Americas. With ICC Trophy 2001 and other proposed International events, we need sponsors, volunteers and investment. Any investment or donation to the Canadian Cricket Association, for example, will provide for a Federal Tax receipt and deduction. We expect that thousands of cricket supporters will help "Team Canada 2001" realize our financial objectives to bring Canadian cricket back to its previous National Sport position and image.

We are please to announce that "Viewer's Choice Canada Pay per View has secured the Canadian broadcast rights for the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup, running from May 14 through to June 20, 1999. Games will also be re-broadcast to Canadian audiences on a 7-day delay basis on the Asian Television Network. We congratulate Viewer's Choice, ATN and Shan Chandrasekhar for this improvement and service to the cricket public and market all across Canada.

Games are scheduled to begin at 05:30 ET and 27 of the 42 available games will be broadcast. All teams participating in the tournament will be featured as well as all Super Six Games, the semi-final and the final game.

Qualifying games are available for $19.95 plus tax each, Super six games are $24.95 plus tax each, semi-final games are $29.95 plus tax each, and the championship game is $39.95 plus tax.

For further information please contact Viewer's Choice Communications at (416) 956-2010, Asian Television Network at (905) 836-6460 or the Canadian Cricket Association c/o (905) 278 5000.