Incehon inching forward

The Asian Cricket Council has invited the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee to attend the Micromax Asia Cup in Dhaka, and the Secretary General of IAGOC Kwon Kyung-Sang has accepted. "It's a great opportunity for the Koreans to see all that happens when cricket is played at the highest level. There is no bigger stage for cricket in Asia than the Asia Cup with all its symbolism, its history and its passionately followed encounters and with the Asian Games Twenty20 matches just two and a half years away, this is the key time for the Incheon Games Organisers to experience just how Asian, just how special, cricket is," says ACC Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq.

The Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010 was the first time cricket made was a medal sport at the Asian Games. The organisers, especially the Olympic Council of Asia, were thrilled by the success and popularity of the event, Bangladesh beating Afghanistan in a thrilling final for the men's gold medal and Pakistan beating Bangladesh for the women's gold. The games were of a high standard with Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka taking part, and more importantly the stadium built for cricket remains in use and is of world class. China's cricket received a boost and so did Asia's.

All of these events, the Asia Cup, the Asian Games, every single ACC event is the result of the benefits that cricket brings. They allow us all to feel connected on a level that goes beyond flags and badges to a sense of Asia, a sense of community, and a sense that cricket is truly a special sport followed as it is, played as it is, loved as it is by so many on so many different levels.

"The Asian Games can as yet only hope to match the success of the Asia Cup yet the eight delegates coming from Korea to attend the matches in Dhaka will get an understanding of the facilities needed, the broadcasting standards, and all the technical items needed to host a top-class event. I have seen their ground plans for Incheon and am impressed. I trust the Micromax Asia Cup in Dhaka will similarly impress the Incheon Games Organisers and when September 2014 comes around, everything will be in place to host the best possible men's and women's Twenty20 matches," says the ACC Chief Executive.