Asia ready to Catch the Spirit

Regional U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Kuwait gets Asia’s Catch the Spirit events into full swing Spirit of cricket to be celebrated across Asia in 2009
This week the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) centenary celebrations turn to Kuwait as hosts of the Asia region’s ICC U/19 World Cup Qualifier (22 April-1 May).

Ten teams from across the continent will be battling for the two places available in the global qualifier later in the year. Nepal is four-time defending champions but will face opposition from improving teams including Afghanistan, Hong Kong, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bhutan.

The Catch the Spirit flag will be flying across the region to promote the ICC’s centenary, the great spirit of cricket and the wide appeal and diversity of the game.

Details of the tournament can be found at: http://www.asiancricket.org/h_0309_kuwaitready.cfm

Regional events such as this one in Kuwait give the Associate and Affiliate Members the chance to commemorate the ICC’s centenary and showcase the game in their countries.

Highlights of Asia’s Catch the Spirit celebrations include China’s National Tournament, Guangzhou (6-7 June), Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Women’s Twenty20 2009, Malaysia (July), Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 Finals, Singapore (29 August-5 September) and the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes Tournament (31 October-1 November).

Two of the ICC’s Full Members in Asia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, have already hosted their Catch the Spirit celebrations, with India and Sri Lanka coming up later in the year.

Kuwait Cricket Director General Asad Baig said: “The Asia region’s U/19 World Cup Qualifier is an excellent event. The level of competition is improving every year and with the top two teams making it one step closer to the ICC U/19 World Cup Qualifier, all countries will really be put to the test.

“The tournament will be a great way to celebrate the ICC’s centenary and the spirit of cricket in Kuwait.”

Bandula Warnapura, the ACC’s Regional Development Manager said: “I am really pleased that ICC Members in Asia are taking the opportunity to catch the spirit of cricket during the ICC’s centenary.

“There are some fantastic events throughout the year which reflect the passion for the game in Asia and the great work of our Members to develop the game.”

ICC Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat said: “The ICC’s centenary is a chance to celebrate our Great Sport and Great Spirit across the world and we’ve already seen some fantastic celebrations this year. Cricket really is a global game and the spirit of cricket has tremendous appeal in diverse communities.”

The Catch the Spirit events hosted by each of the ICC’s 104 Members not only commemorate a century of international cricket but also demonstrate the significant steps ICC has made in developing the game.

As a governing body that ploughs all money earned back to its Members, ICC has begun investing US$300 million into the development of the game among Associate and Affiliate Members, the biggest commitment to grow a sport outside of soccer.

The ICC Global Cricket Academy will also open in 2009 providing a opportunity to develop talent and the game further.

About the ICC centenary year

ICC President David Morgan and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat officially launched the ICC centenary year in Sydney, Australia on 2 January by announcing the formation of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, in association with FICA.

The ICC’s centenary year of 2009 will be a global celebration with events taking place around the world to reflect all that is great about the game.

On the field, these events include the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the ICC World Twenty20 event for men and women and the ICC Champions Trophy and most recently the ICC Women’s World Cup.

And off the field there will be the opening of the ICC Global Cricket Academy and the inauguration of the ICC’s new headquarters, both of which are in Dubai, and an ICC cricket history conference at St Antony’s College, Oxford in the United Kingdom in July.

The ICC will also be celebrating the contribution of volunteers across the world through the award of 1,000 centenary medals and will announce new developments to its social responsibility partnership on HIV/AIDS.

During the course of 2009, each of the ICC’s 104 Members will be hosting activities inspired by the special spirit of cricket as part of the global Catch the Spirit centenary celebration.

To promote this theme and the launch of the ICC’s centenary year website, www.catchthespirit.com , stars of the international game have named their “Catch the Spirit” moments which best encapsulate the spirit of cricket.

Among those stars that can be seen on the website, Yuvraj Singh of India speaks of his experiences in Pakistan – India matches and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis reflects on his side’s famous chase of 438 to beat Australia in a ODI in Johannesburg.

Background on the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Global Qualifier
The five regions of the ICC (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and East Asia Pacific) will each host a regional tournament for the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

The top two teams from each region’s tournament will then go onto the global ICC U/19 World Cup Qualifier with the top five sides from that event playing in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2010.

The ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup is made up of 16 teams, including 10 Full Members, Kenya as hosts and the five regional qualifiers.