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The Asian Cricket
Council and African Cricket Association have come together in a
venture to promote and develop cricket across Asia and Africa.
Mr. Peter Chingoka, President of the ACA affirmed: “We are confident
that this agreement between the ACA and ACC will further strengthen
existing ties between us. In a time of increasing global division, the
body we have formed, the Afro-Asian Cricket Co-Operation, will
be a substantial symbol of international unity.”
“The agreement runs for three years. We will be staging at least one
ODI series between an Africa XI and Asia XI each year,” says Mr.
Chingoka. 10% of the net revenues from the staging of these ODIs will
be donated to charity.
The Chairman of Afro-Asian Cricket Co-Operation for the first
three years will be Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya. The Vice-Chairman will be
Mr. Peter Chingoka and the Convenor will be Mr. Syed Ashraful Huq. In
addition to these officials there will be a Committee formed of three
ACC representatives and three ACA representatives.
Mr. Syed Ashraful Huq, Chief Executive of the ACC declared: “The ODIs
will showcase the best cricket that Asia and Africa have to offer but
we are also joining in this landmark association in order to promote
cricket at all levels. There will be representative age-group matches
between the two continents in tournaments organised by us.”
“For development of cricket there will be the exchange of
administrative personnel, curators, coaches and umpires. We have much
to offer each other and we will emerge as stronger cricketing forces
as a result of this co-operation.”
Speaking from Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Jaghmohan
Dalmiya, President of the ACC stated: “Mahatma Gandhi was the most
famous joint citizen of both continents and we will be striving to
emulate his ideals of co-operation and fraternity in our agreement.
Gandhi was an inspiration to the anti-apartheid movement and India’s
cricketing fraternity played its part at the end of the apartheid era
by being the first country to resume sporting ties with South Africa.
It was a milestone in sports history. Asia and Africa’s joint
activities will create a vibrant addition to the world of cricket.” |
