Caribbean News Now!

by Caribbean News Now contributor

DUBAI, UAE -- At the first of its scheduled 2012 meetings in Dubai on Tuesday and Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) board condemned “in the strongest possible terms” what it referred to as intervention by the government of Guyana in the affairs of the Guyana Cricket Board.

The ICC board reiterated the principle of non-interference in the sport by governments and said it was concerned to learn of the developments in Guyana where the government has dissolved the Guyana Cricket Board and replaced it with an Interim Management Committee.

“In condemning this government intervention in the strongest possible terms, the ICC Board reaffirmed the principle of non-interference and that the only legitimate cricketing authority is that recognized by the West Indies Cricket Board,” the ICC board said.

In other matters, a total of US$3.8 million in prize money will be shared among the top four sides on 1 April 2013, 2014 and 2015, after the board approved a proposal to substantially increase incentives in the form of prize money to promote Test match cricket in the period before the ICC Test Championship event in 2017.

ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said, “This worthy increase in prize money for the top four teams in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings can only be right. We are delighted at the growing interest and quality of Test match cricket and we must continue to promote the pinnacle form of the game before and beyond the Test Championship in 2017.”

Previously, the top team in the Reliance ICC Test rankings received a cheque for $175,000 but in future will receive a minimum of $450,000 rising to $500,000 in 2015. From 2016 there will be further increases in Test prize money.

The ICC board also approved an initial $12 million targeted assistance and performance programme (TAPP), which is aimed at developing more competitive teams among full members and associate/affiliate members.

Amongst the necessary criteria, member applicants will need to present a proper strategy and business plan aimed specifically at improving on-field performance (Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)). The financial support:

• Could be in the form of grants and/or “soft loans” or non-financial (expertise, scheduling etc);

• Could be for activities aimed not only at directly improving performance (e.g. training camps, contracting of coaching staff, etc.) but also those aimed at related areas that would benefit and sustain on-field performance such as administration, commercial, legal or other relevant support;

• Must be subject to the member contributing matching resources to implement the PIP

Lorgat said, “I am pleased that the board is focused on supporting members to grow and improve their performances. This programme is a first step in the right direction and is intended for the lower performing full members and the higher performing associates/affiliates.”

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