ICC President reveals unanimous decision by ICC Board
Will act as focal point for ICC’s centenary celebrations as well as final of ICC World Twenty20
Morgan also promises to travel to Members to find out what sort of ICC they want
ICC President David Morgan today confirmed that the organisation’s annual conference in
2009 will be held at Lord’s.This year’s week of meetings was held in Dubai, the first time the ICC had moved its annual gathering away from its former London headquarters.
Detailing arrangements for next year, Mr Morgan said: “We had an excellent week in Dubai this year but I’m delighted to announce that the ICC Board* has confirmed unanimously that we will return to Lord’s for annual conference week in 2009.
“It is perfect timing as it will allow Lord’s, the ICC’s home for the first 96 years of its existence, to play a central role in our organisation’s centenary celebrations, as 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ICC.
“That central role will involve not only the hosting of our biggest ever annual conference week, with all 60 Affiliate Members invited for the first time alongside the Associate and Full Members, but also the staging of matches in the ICC World Twenty 2009, including the finals of both the men’s and women’s events on 21 June.”
The centenary celebrations are intended to touch all 104 ICC Members at some point during the year and Mr Morgan said they would reflect all that is good about the game.
“The ICC’s centenary will be a time to look back at the legends who have shaped the game over the previous 100 years,” he said.
“It will also provide an opportunity to look forward and celebrate the thousands of volunteers who sustain the game’s grassroots and, at the same time, the ICC will use the year to highlight the special spirit of cricket on and off the field of play.”
Further details of the ICC’s centenary year will be announced in due course.
Looking forward to his two years at the helm of world cricket, Mr Morgan said he would be spending much of the next year meeting Members – their officials and their stakeholders.
“We are a members’ organisation and so we need to know what type of ICC our Members want,” he said.
“Do they want a toothless tiger that is only useful to blame for any failings when things go wrong? Or do they want a strong governing body invested with the power to run, and make decisions based on the best interests of, the game, and a body they can trust to do just that?
“Haroon Lorgat (the ICC’s new Chief Executive Officer) and I will travel to Full Members, Associates and Affiliates over the next 12 months to seek some answers.
“But we also want it to be a two-way street. We want to meet Boards and key stakeholders including players, ex-players, media, sponsors, even governments.
“We want those stakeholders to know what the ICC does and to ask if we can do anything differently or better. And, at the same time, we will ask what they can do for the ICC.
“Last week Rahul Dravid came to our annual conference and saw a video of the ICC World Cricket League Division 5, where Afghanistan and Jersey took the next step on the road to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
“He was enthralled but said he had no idea such a tournament existed. We have to make sure more people know about what we do, spreading and encouraging the game at all levels.
“By this time next year, when I report back to the ICC’s annual conference, we should have a better idea of how we can help our Members – and how our Members can help the ICC to ensure cricket remains a strong sport, growing stronger.”
*The ICC Board is made up of the 10 ICC Full Members (Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Zimbabwe) plus three representatives of the 34 Associate Members. The ICC President, President-Elect/Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer also sit on the Board.
ICC MEDIA RELEASE