KNCB win Cricket Development Program award
2004 got under way in fine style with the announcement of the regional winners of the 2003 Annual Development Awards by the ICC. The award winners come from 20 cricket-playing countries across the globe, from Mozambique to Thailand to the Cayman Islands. This is the second year of the Annual Awards programme, and the first time all five regions have taken part. The winners were selected by the five regional head offices and have now been forwarded for consideration for the Global Awards in their respective categories. ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed congratulated all of the award winners on their achievements: ?It is thanks to the commitment and dedication of so many unheralded people that cricket continues to grow outside the 10 Full Member countries. I commend all of the award winners for their enthusiasm for the sport and I hope that these awards will inspire others to follow their example." The Development Program Annual Awards promote excellence in cricket development and recognise exceptional performance and service to the game in the ICC?s Associate and Affiliate Member countries. Nominees in 2003 came from a range of levels - country, club, association, team, school and individual - highlighting the positive impact cricket is making on the lives of players from culturally diverse communities. The regional award winners are listed below. Each will receive an ICC plaque, a certificate of recognition and an appreciation letter from ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed. The global winners, to be announced on 2 February, will receive an ICC trophy.
\* Europe
o Best Overall Cricket Development Program: Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond
o Best Junior Development Initiative: Israel Cricket Association
o Best Women's Cricket Initiative: Maija Scamans (Finland)
o Best Cricket Promotional Program: Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond
o Flicx Community Development Award: Norwegian Cricket Board
o Best Spirit Of Cricket Initiative: Glostrup CC (Denmark)
o Volunteer Of The Year: Bob Gibb (Norway)
o Lifetime Service Award: Stanley Perlman (Israel)
\* Africa
o Best Overall Cricket Development Program : Zambia Cricket Union
o Best Junior Development Initiative : Mozambique
o Best Women's Cricket Initiative : Namibian Women?s Cricket
o Best Cricket Promotional Program : Hickory Program (Namibia)
o Flicx Community Development Award : Chipata (Zambia)
o Best Spirit Of Cricket Initiative : Uganda Cricket Union
o Volunteer Of The Year : Laurence Pieters (Namibia)
o Lifetime Service Award : Jasmer Singh (Kenya)
\* Americas
o Best Overall Cricket Development Program : Guantanamo Province Development (Cuba)
o Best Junior Development Initiative : US Cricket Academy (USA)
o Best Women's Cricket Initiative : Argentine Cricket Association
o Best Cricket Promotional Program : Sao Paulo Cricket Association (Brazil)
o Flicx Community Development Award : BCB Summer Clinics (Bermuda)
o Best Spirit Of Cricket Initiative : Cayman Cricket Week (Cayman Islands)
o Volunteer Of The Year : Tim Messner (Chile)
o Lifetime Service Award : Jack Kyle (Canada)
\* Asia
o Best Overall Cricket Development Program : Dr Vece Paes
o Best Junior Development Initiative : Chiang Mai School (Thailand)
o Best Women's Cricket Initiative : N/a
o Best Cricket Promotional Program : Cricket Association Of Nepal
o Flicx Community Development Award : Bukit Jalil Sports School (Malaysia)
o Best Spirit Of Cricket Initiative : N/a
o Volunteer Of The Year : N/a
o Lifetime Service Award : Jai Kumar Nath Shah (Nepal)
\* EastAsia Pacific
o Best Overall Cricket Development Program: Indonesian Cricket Foundation
o Best Junior Development Initiative : Indonesian Cricket Foundation
o Best Women's Cricket Initiative : Japan Cricket Association
o Best Cricket Promotional Program : Vanuatu Cricket Association
o Flicx Community Development Award : Samoa Schools Cricket Council
o Best Spirit Of Cricket Initiative : Vanuatu Cricket Association
o Volunteer Of The Year: Naoaki Saida (Japan)
o Lifetime Service Award: Wayne Satchell (Papua New Guinea)
The European Development team would like to thank everyone who submitted nominations. There were a number of strong contenders in most categories, but after much discussion it was agreed that the candidates listed above were worthy winners. Congratulations not only to the winning organizations and individuals, but also to the other deserving nominees, and indeed to all those who devote so much of their time and energy to developing cricket around Europe -keep up the good work everyone!
