Indian appointed CEO of Israel Cricket Association

TEL AVIV: An Indian Jew Naor Gudker has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Israel Cricket Association, which is sending its Under-17 team to the sub-continent next week.

Gudker will be responsible for managing and coordinating the cricket scene in Israel, and also to initate new programmes and market the ICA development programme.

"The first task ahead is to prepare the under-17 team that is leaving for India next week," Gudker said.

He said the team would tour India on the Indian Cricket Board's invitation and it was mooted during BCCI President Sharad Pawar's visit to Israel last year.

The Israeli team will play against several school teams in Mumbai and undergo practice sessions at the Brabourne Stadium.

"I am excited and looking forward to learn a lot from the trip. It is like a dream come true to be playing in India," said Safania Naogaonkar, 16, who immigrated to Israel four years ago.

The Israeli Under-13 and Under-15 teams have been constantly performing well and winning medals at the ECC Championships.

"The performance of the Israeli youth team at the international level has been promising and I hope the Indian experience will help them prepare well for the forthcoming European Cricket Council championship (ECC)," Gudker said.

ICA has been an associate member of the ICA since 1974 and was a founding member of the European Cricket Council in 1996.