ICC rewards Afghanistan with $1m grant

Saturday, Oct 05, 2013

Sharjah: Afghanistan’s qualification for the Cricket World Cup in 2015 will earn them a multi-million dollar windfall — including $1 million from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a preparation grant for the event in Australia and New Zealand.

The team qualified for the World Cup after their win over Kenya at Sharjah on Friday ensured they finished second in the ICC World Cricket League (WCL).

The $1m from the ICC is on top of the $422,000 awarded to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) by the ICC Board in April as part of its Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (Tapp), which is aimed at raising playing standards.

And, in 2014, Afghanistan will receive approximately $750,000 in base support through the ICC Development Funding Policy for top Associate and Affiliate Members.

Dr Noor Mohammad Murad, ACB Chief Executive Officer, also said that there is potential for up to $850,000 in funding from the country’s government and through sponsorship agreements from domestic and international businesses eager to ride the wave of Afgahnistan’s success.

Murad told Gulf News: “All the money we will receive will allow us to develop the game even more, and it will also allow us to be as ready as we can be for the World Cup. We have already begun working on our plans and we are looking at a three-month camp for the players ahead of the tournament.

“Even in the remotest parts of Afghanistan people were watching our match against Kenya. The whole of Afgahnistan was seated before the television and cheering for our team.”

He added: “We are now keen to play against full member nations. One of our aims is to bring international cricket to Afghanistan and we have already built two international stadiums in Kabul and Jalalabad.

“It has been great for people back home to see the matches because it means they can now see the boys in action. The cricket team is now recognisable on the streets of Afghanistan. I understand His Excellency President Karzai was also watching Friday’s match and the coverage helps the profile of the game throughout our country and throughout our region.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC is delighted to be playing a part in that growth through not only the preparation grant, which also goes to the other qualifiers for the ICC Cricket World Cup, but also through the Tapp funding and the coverage we have been able to help provide through the broadcasting of matches during the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Championship.”

If Afghanistan can also qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 Cup in 2014, the team will receive another $250,000.

By K.R. Nayar Chief Cricket Writer