ICCT_NEWS_26JAN94

ICC Trophy News - All set for a thrilling tournament

The stage is set for a showpiece tournament when the ABN-AMRO ICC Trophy gets underway in Nairobi in February. The organising committee are busy putting the finishing touches on the preparations for the competition when the eyes of the cricketing world will be focussed on Kenya. "There are naturally a million and one things still to be arranged, but we are very satisfied with progress and everything is going according to plan," organising secretary Robbie Armstrong reported. "Key element of hotel accomodation, transport for the teams to and from matches and ground facilities are of course, finalised," he added. "Our committee is now working on all the many smaller details which are nevertheless very important to a successful event. "Our team of liaison officers is, for example, checking on all the airport arrangements to ensure that all the teams get a warm and efficient welcome when they fly in." Arrangement for the social events are also at an advanced stage. In addition to the official functions hosted by the ICC and the Kenya Cricket Association, there will also be a busy schedule of receptions for the teams hosted by their embassies or countrymen living in Kenya. The travel arrangements of all 19 visiting teams have been notified to the organisers and a busy programme of pre-event friendlies has been arranged (see separate story). Officials of the main ICC committee, headed by chairman Joe Buzaglo of Gibraltar, visited Nairobi in October to check on all arrangement. The delegation, whichincluded vice chairman Henck van Eck of Holland, treasurer Barney Miller of Argentina and qualificationscommitte chairman Ed Bailey of Bermuda, visited all the grounds and other important locations. After the extensive tour and a series of meeting lasting over 9 hours, Mr. Buzaglo said the committe were very happy with the arrangements. He said: "We have every confidence that the tournament will be a great success. We are impressed with what we have seen." Commenting on the grounds themselves he said they had obviously suffered because of shortage of rain, but that they were all in fine condition. Since the visit, several heavy showers of long delayed rains have greatly enhanced the outfields of the grounds. Among the many places visited by the committe was the picturesque Kenyatta Conference Centre, the esplanade of which will be the scene of a huge group photograph of all participating teamson Tuesday, February 22nd. Other venues included the pool of Nairobi Club, which will be the location of the welcoming cocktail party for approximately 600 people on Friday, February 11th; the giant Safari Park Hotel which will be the scene of the tournament dinner (for 500) on February 27 and the fivestar Nairobi Serena Hotel, where the farewell dinner will take place on March 6. One of the most important matters discussed and finalised was, of course, the fixtures calender itself which was naturally a complex exercise. Mr. Buzaglo and the other members of the committee also visited the ultra-modern headquaters of tournament sponsors, ABN-AMRO Bank in central Nairobi to thank them for their participation and discuss their requirements. (The mascot for the tournament is a Lion standing on its hind legs with pads on and a bat in the other two hands. Its in the process of completing a drive (?). In case you are all wondering why a Lion? Its because the Lion is the King (in Kenya) of the Jungle.)