ICC Development Program Global Award winners to be announced tomorrow

The ICC Development Program Global Award winners will be announced tomorrow.

The ten award winners will be selected by an esteemed panel consisting of ICC President Ehsan Mani, his predecessor Malcolm Gray, ICC Cricket World Cup Executive Director Dr Ali Bacher and MCC Chief Executive and Secretary Roger Knight.

The judges must choose a global winner in each category from a shortlist of the five regional winners.

The International Cricket Council Development Program Annual Awards (DPAA) promote excellence in cricket development and recognise exceptional performance and service to the game in Associate and Affiliate Member countries. Nominees in 2003 came from a range of levels - country, club, association, team, school and individual - highlighting the positive impact cricket is making on the lives of players from culturally diverse communities.

Each winner will receive an ICC trophy, a certificate of recognition and an appreciation letter from ICC President, Ehsan Mani.

Ehsan Mani began his two-year term as President of the International Cricket Council in June 2003. Prior to this, Mr Mani has represented Pakistan at the ICC since 1989. In 1996 he became a director when he took the chair of the ICC Finance and Marketing Committee. Mr Mani has served on a number of ICC Committees, including the Chairman's Advisory Committee, set up to advise Lord Cowdrey and Sir Clyde Walcott during their tenures. He also worked on the Rules Review Committee and the Governance and Organisation Committee. His paper on the sharing of World Cup revenues between the host and member countries had a major impact on the financial arrangements of the ICC and its members. He was also a member of the organising committee for the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

Malcolm Gray completed his three year term as ICC President in June 2003. During his time at the ICC, Mr Gray oversaw the implementation of rigorous anti-corruption recommendations and the introduction of an Elite Panel of ICC umpires and referees. He also addressed widespread concern over issues surrounding player behaviour. Before this he was Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board from 1986 to 1989, Chairman of the 1992 Cricket World Cup and for many years was Chairman of the Victorian Cricket Association.

Dr Bacher represented South Africa 12 times, captaining the side for four games in 1969-70 - the nation's last tests for 22 years due to the apartheid regime. As apartheid came to an end, he took the helm when the previously segregated black and white cricket associations combined to set up the United Cricket Board of South Africa. He remained with the organisation for almost a decade, earning respect around the world before taking a lead role in the staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.

Roger Knight is the Chief Executive and Secretary of the Marylebone Cricket Club and has been an integral part of the ICC Development Program as a Development Committee member since it was launched in 1997. Roger is also the European Cricket Federation President and sits on the European Cricket Council Executive Committee and the England and Wales Cricket Board Management Board.

Media Contact:

Jon Long
ICC Corporate Affairs
+44 (0) 7946 545 090
jon.long@icc-cricket.com