ACC Development Manager On Middle East Tour Of Inspection

ACC Development Manager Bandula Warnapura will embark upon a six-nation tour of the ACC's Gulf member-countries in order to assess their past, present and future development. The tour starts in Bahrain where he will meet with all the region's officials over two days, in a meeting also attended by ICC Development Programs Manager Tim Anderson. ICC Regional Funding requirements up to 2015 will be discussed.

Mr. Warnapura intends to also meet officials who are with the countries' Ministries of Sports and/or Olympic Committees.

ACC To Identify And Correct Suspect Bowling Actions

The Asian Cricket Council is to implement a two-stage analysis system to identify and assist bowlers with suspect bowling actions.

Stage One – Should a player come under suspicion during an ACC tournament, following a report from umpires and match referees, the ACC Development Officer for the country of the player will video-record the bowler’s action. The video recording of the bowler is to be done from three angles in a match situation or in the nets.

ACF Elect New President

The Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) has elected Allah Dad Noori as its new President. In a poll overseen by a commission of the National Olympic Committee, Mr. Noori received 18 of the 19 votes available. His rivals for the post were ACF General Secretary Taj Malik and Daulat Khan Jaji. Mr. Noori takes over from Shahzada Masoud who resigned as ACF President in the previous week. At the request of Mr. Noori, Mr. Masoud will now serve as Patron-in-Chief to the ACF.

Iran's Women Advance

ACC Women's Committee Member and Pakistan Cricket Board Women's Cricket Manager Shamsa Hashmi completed a 16-day assignment in Iran last month. "I was thrilled to see the enthusiasm among the young girls. They were all very motivated and keen to learn the game," says Ms. Hashmi.

An Iranian Level I-qualified lady coach Mujdeh Bavendpour assisted Ms. Hashmi throughout, as the 30 women (U-19 and seniors) were put through a comprehensive training plan specially designed for them.

Hong Kong's Players Rewarded

As a result of winning the ACC Trophy Elite, Hong Kong's first ever tournament victory, the Hong Kong Cricket Association will award the squad a bonus of HK$15000 (US$1920) each.

"It's a great gesture by HKCA," says Man of the Match in the Trophy Elite Final Najeeb Amar, "half the players have to give up work to play. It's nice to feel valued."

Turf's Up In Kuwait

Not content with three turfed-grounds when all but one of their neighbouring Gulf states have none, Kuwait are about to unveil their fourth in time for the start of the new cricket season in October in Sulaibiya.

"It has been a great effort by many people but the demand is there for cricket in Kuwait and we are very keen that we satisfy all of them," declares Kuwait Cricket Association’s Asad Baig.

Twenty20 In 2020?

International Cricket Council President David Morgan was in Beijing during the recent Olympics to find out more about the event and make a preliminary evaluation of the possibility of cricket being in the Olympic Games of 2020.

The ICC President's meetings in Beijing with the Chinese Cricket Association and International Olympic Committee personnel built upon the granting of "recognition status" to cricket by the IOC in December last year.

ICC Principal Advisor I.S. Bindra Takes Chinese Role

Inderjit Singh Bindra, a former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and a key figure in the present Board, has formalized his role as ICC Principal Advisor up to 2010.

Mr. Bindra, currently also Punjab Cricket Association President, will "focus on developing the game in China, implementing the ICC Vision, assisting relations between the ICC and its members and working with host members to ensure the success of ICC events," say the ICC.

ACC And Nimbus Revive Afro-Asia Cup

The Asian Cricket Council has entered into a new commercial agreement with Nimbus Sports for the 2009 and 2010 Afro-Asia Cups.

Under the new deal Nimbus will market all commercial rights to the events on a global basis. The parties have agreed to explore new opportunities for the growth of cricket at all levels in Asia and Africa. Both parties have resolved the differences which led to the ending of their previous agreement.