MALCOLM SPEED AND SHAHARYAR KHAN: TO MOVE CRICKET FORWARD IN CHINA
The Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council, Malcolm
Speed, as well as Shaharyar Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket
Board will be in China from the 18th to 22nd of September, 2006.
Their mission - to find out just how significant a part China can
play in expanding cricket’s horizons.
“This is my first visit to China as Chief Executive Officer
of the International Cricket Council and it is an exciting prospect
both personally and professionally,” says Mr. Speed.
He continues: “I was given an insight into the China Cricket
Association’s plans during an Asian Cricket Council seminar
in Kuala Lumpur in June and although those plans are still in their
early stages they are still very impressive.
“No one is under any illusions that the widespread development
of the game in China will be something that takes place overnight.
“However, the enthusiasm for the game in China appears to
be both tangible and growing rapidly and if that enthusiasm can be
harnessed then that is great news for cricket not only there but
on a worldwide basis.”
The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shaharyar Khan, has
been appointed by the President of the Asian Cricket Council, the
body responsible for the development of cricket in Asia, to chair
a ‘Committee to Evaluate China’.
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| Shaharyar Khan and Malcolm Speed listening to a presentation from the Chinese Cricket Association at the ACC Seminar on the Future Direction of Asian Cricket, Kuala Lumpur June 2006 |
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“I have met with some Chinese officials and I have been impressed
by the rigour and the scale of their strategic thinking,” says
Mr. Khan.
“The opportunities they potentially offer their countrymen
is immense, the potential they offer the cricket world is immense.
I will be in Beijing to see for myself the standard of play, coaching
and facilities established so far.”
Accompanying Messrs. Speed and Khan to China are the Asian Cricket
Council Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq, the President of the Madhya
Pradesh Cricket Association, Shravan Patel and former Sri Lankan
international, Romesh Kaluwitharana. Also present will be Matthew
Kennedy, Global Development Manager of the International Cricket
Council.
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1, 2 "We think this is a sport in which Chinese could do very well because this
is a game that emphasizes skills, tactics and team work.”
