Japan upgraded to Associate Member status
In a significant milestone for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Development Program, Japan was yesterday upgraded to Associate Member status at the ICC Annual Conference in London.
 |
|
In addition to Japan achieving this, the ICC Annual Conference also approved Jersey, Guernsey, Mali and Slovenia as new Affiliate Members. This takes the total membership of the ICC to 96 countries.
Japan, an Affiliate Member since 1989, now join Fiji and Papua New Guinea as Associate Members of the ICC EAP region. The region also has seven Affiliate Members including Indonesia, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, South Korea and Philippines.
Cricket has developed steadily in Japan since 1989 and today some 915 senior and 2896 junior players participate in organised cricket activities. Japan has 22 grounds that are used for regular competition including a spectacular facility at the base of Mt Fuji.
Speaking at the ICC Annual Conference in London, Japan Cricket Association (JCA) Chairman Takao Ito was elated by the decision of the ICC Annual Conference.
"The JCA is pleased and honoured to be granted ICC Associate Membership status. We now look forward to the challenges ahead as we move into a new and exciting stage of cricket development in Japan."
ICC EAP Regional Development Manager Tim Anderson welcomed the approval of Japan as an Associate Member.
"We are delighted that the ICC Annual Conference has approved Japan's application, and congratulate all those involved in Japanese cricket on this achievement. The ICC EAP Development Program is excited about working with the JCA as it now takes the development of cricket in Japan to the next level."
From September 23 to 29 Japan will be competing against Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Indonesia and tournament hosts Vanuatu in the 2005 EAP Cricket Cup. This event is a regional component of the ICC's World Cup Qualifying Series.