BENIN

A recent visit to Cotonou by Dr Michael Aiyor - Chief Executive of Howzat Foundation in Nigeria has inspired a revival of cricket in this West African country. According to Raju Gurbani who is the chief instigator of cricket in Benin, there are plans to form a governing body for cricket - Association Beninoise de Cricket - and seek ICC Affiliate Membership.

There are around 50 active cricketers in Benin and they would be provided with US$5,000 worth of cricket kit courtesy Indian Association of Benin.

The National Stadium in Cotonou has already been booked for Sundays until the end of the year for cricket matches. One of Benin's most important matches in the next few weeks would be against their traditional rivals Togo. This match would be followed by matches against club teams in Nigeria.

COTE D'IVOIRE

Better known as Ivory Coast in the English speaking world, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon are the first 2 Francophone countries in Africa to grasp the rudiments of cricket under a unique project initiated by ICC Africa Development Manager Hoosain Ayob.

The enthusiasm generated through successive visits by Hoosain Ayob has been most encouraging and an eye-opener to other regions in the Development Program. What is amazing is the fact that 30 teenage teacher trainees who had never heard of cricket five months back are practising the game as if their very lives depended on it. The objective is to give them a thorough training in cricket and have them introduce the game at various schools they would be assigned in the future.

With a Cricket Federation already formed, ICC Affiliate Membership for Cote d'Ivoire is a matter of time.

ICC TROPHY

Asia was the biggest loser at the recent ICC Trophy in Toronto. None of the Asian nations could enter the last 4 and only one - UAE - entered the last eight. Some African administrators may now justifiably question the validity of allocating 50% of ICC development funds to Asia and point out that Namibia and Uganda have achieved greater heights with less investment.

It is high time that ICC did some serious soul-searching on this whole issue of development funding. If Asia is to retain its 50% allocation an overall increase of funds is desirable [not that Asia gets a fortune!] One feels the two year allocation is too frugal and conservative considering the income generated through the ICC Knock-out.

Before anything else, ICC should decide where cricket's future lies - is it in Asia or Africa? Or any other region? Should ICC pick the most promising countries [irrespective of region] and allocate greater funds to these countries and distribute the balance among the rest? These are some of the questions ICC would have to consider.

NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands should really press on the accelerator from now on. Enough for the inferiority complexes and resigned attitudes. They should focus on greater attainments and even go as far as to propose hosting the ICC Knock-out.

It was only the other day that ICC resolved to award the hosting of the ICC Knock-out to a Test playing nation despite assurances in the past that the tournament would only be staged in non-test playing nations.

While ticket sales may be a great source of revenue for what is essentially the life-blood of the ICC Development Program, one should also consider the impact of staging such high profile tournaments in minor cricketing nations. The last ICC Knock-out in Kenya may have created a new generation of cricket fans there.

Taking the cue from Kenya, the likes of Netherlands should think on more ambitious lines.

ST. HELENA

One of the latest batch of ICC Affiliates, St. Helena which comes under the African region must consider itself as the most isolated of all ICC Members due to its location far off the African mainland. Still a British Dominion, St. Helena has a long cricketing history dating back to the late 1800s. It has 10 teams and a 2 inning league apart from 2 knock-out tournaments at capital and district level.

Matches are played with matting on a concrete pitch and the British Governor gifts a bat to the player with the season's highest batting average.

Any team wishing to organise matches in exotic St.Helena should contact:

Mr ERIC GEORGE President - St. Helena Cricket Association EMAIL: eric.palmcottage@helanta.sh

YUGOSLAVIA

There is some exciting news coming out from Belgrade with the groundwork being done to establish cricket among native Yugoslav kids. Anthony Monckton - British Counsellor in Belgrade who happens to be the former captain of Geneva Cricket Club - is the man behind the scene and it is hoped that with contact being made with the European Cricket Council, his venture would be a success.

However, the likes of Croatia/ Slovenia/ Austria would have to take an active role to maintain interest of cricket in Yugoslavia in the longer run. Matches with the expatriates in Belgrade would be an ideal starting point.

GENERAL

Thanks to all who sent me emails congratulating me on my column. I still feel there are West Indians over there [especially Jamaicans] who know about cricket in DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/ HAITI/ PUERTO RICO.

I would also like to hear from anyone who knows about cricket in ALGERIA/ TUNISIA/ DJIBOUTI/ ERITREA.

Just send me an email with any information on the above or any other unusual cricketing nations to: minorcricket@hotmail.com

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