A high-level delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will evaluate Asian sports powerhouse China's potential for cricket.
BEIJING: A high-level delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will evaluate Asian sports powerhouse China's potential for cricket, official sources said.
The ICC delegation led by its Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shaharyar Khanm, will be in China from tomorrow till September 22 for meeting with senior Chinese sports officials and visiting sports facilities.
The chief aim of the mission to Beijing and Shanghai is to find out just how significant a part China can play in expanding cricket's horizons.
During an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) seminar in Kuala Lumpur in June, China Cricket Association had briefed the ACC about their grandiose plans to boost cricket in the world's most populous country.
Meanwhile, Khan is chairing a 'Committee to Evaluate China'.
The ACC has so far conducted five coaching courses in Beijing, Kunming, Guangzhou and Dalian cities in the past 12 months.
Administered by Cricket Australia, these courses have led to 63 Level 1 accredited coaches being created in China, the ACC said in a press release.
"Cricket was a completely new game to China despite its long history and high popularity in many countries of the world. We think this is a sport in which Chinese could do very well because this is a game that emphasises skills, tactics and team work," Chairman of the Chinese Cricket Association, Zhang Xiaoning, who is also Director of the Multi-ball Games Administrative Centre, said.
Nearly 6,500 Chinese have received cricket training and over 50 teams established throughout schools, colleges and universities in the past 12 months.
The Chinese Cricket Association's goal is to have 15,000 cricketers by 2009 with accompanying umpires and coaches.
The Association expects that the numbers will shoot up to 60,000 cricketers by 2012.
By 2020, following the establishment of a national league, international club matches, a national school and inter-city competition as well as a credible Team China, the Chinese expect cricket to be played actively by 1.5 lakh men, women and children.
Other delegates to the ICC tour include the ACC Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq, President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, Shravan Patel, and former Sri Lankan international, Romesh Kaluwitharana.
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