Uganda snaps four of the nine awards on offer

Photo of the Year - Kampala Kids League, Uganda © ICC

The ICC Africa Region today announced the regional winners for the ICC Development Program Annual Awards for 2005.

It was by far the best year since the inception of the awards four years ago as far as number of entries received. The panel had their work cut out for them as the applications received were of a very high standard and there was literally a point separating the winners and runners-up in many categories.

The categories of Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Service Award, was by far the most difficult to judge but in the end it was Botswana's Fazil Sheriff who clinched the Volunteer of the Year and Namibia's Laurie Pieters who walked away with the Lifetime Service Award.

In the other categories it was Uganda who dominated and was recognized for the Best Overall Development Program, Best Junior Cricket Initiative, Best Cricket Promotional Program and Photo of the Year.

The remaining awards were shared amongst Tanzania Cricket Association (Best Women's Cricket Initiative), Nigeria's Howzat Cricket Foundation (Best Spirit of Cricket Initiative) and the Namibian Cricket Board (UNAIDS Award)

Two countries that did exceptionally well but missed out on the awards were Mozambique and Mali.

The RDM Hoosain Ayob commended the countries and paid tribute to all the winners.

"The ICC Development Program Annual Awards is a very important part of the Cricket Calendar as it allows us to recognize and honour the associates and affiliates who have excelled over the past twelve months. I wish them the best of luck in the Global Awards."

The Africa Regional Winners will now go head to head with the winners of the Asia, Americas, East-Asia Pacific and Europe for the Global Awards. The Global winners will be selected by an esteemed selection panel comprising of Ehsan Mani (ICC President), Malcolm Gray (Former ICC President) Dr. Ali Bacher (ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, Managing Director) and Roger Knight (Marylebone Cricket Club Secretary and Chief Executive).

The Global award winners will be announced on the 30th March 2006.

Best Overall Cricket Development Program
Uganda Cricket Association

Best Women's Cricket Initiative
Tanzania Cricket Association

Photo of the Year
Kampala Kids League - Uganda

Best Spirit of Cricket Initiative
Howzat Foundation for Cricket - Nigeria

Volunteer of the Year
Fazal Sheriff - Botswana

Best Junior Development Initiative
Kampala Kids League - Uganda

Best Cricket Promotional Program
Uganda Cricket Association

Lifetime Service Award
Laurie Pieters - Namibia

UNAIDS Award
Namibian Cricket Board