The International Cricket Council (ICC) was today delighted to announce that Apia, Samoa, has been selected as the host venue for the 2002 Pacifica Cricket Championships and that the Samoa English Cricket Association (SECA) had keenly accepted the appointment.

SECA President Seb Kohlase (left) with the Samoan Prime Minister Photo © ICC

Samoan Prime Minister and SECA Patron, Mr Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said, "this is a triumph for sport in Samoa. Cricket is a fast-growing sport in this country and we are committed to ensuring a world-class event with efficient organisation and outstanding facilities. The tournament will be staged at the Samoa Gardens Sporting Complex where additional cricket ground developments and improvements will take place over the next nine months to ensure that the venue matches the occasion and that staging the event leaves a lasting legacy for Samoa in its bid for major sporting events in the future. The ICC has committed to assisting us in this endeavour which is fantastic.

"The 2002 Pacifica Championships will be staged in June to coincide with our 40th anniversary of independence celebrations. It is sure to be an exciting time in which Samoa is show cased on the International stage," the Prime Minister added.

The announcement was made by ICC East Asia – Pacific Development Manager, Mr Matthew Kennedy, who is currently in Apia where both Samoan and English cricket are featuring in the Samoa Games being held in conjunction with the annual Teuila Festival. Following final inspections and negotiations with SECA and Government, Mr Kennedy said, "the appointment of Samoa as host befits the significant progress that has been made in the short time since it became an Affiliate member of the ICC in June 2000."

"With seven competing nations, the Pacifica Championships is without doubt the feature event of the ICC's East Asia - Pacific Region and the grounds in Apia are sure to be an excellent venue for this important competition which is played under full One Day International rules and playing conditions", he added.

ICC EAP Development Officer Tim Anderson with the Samoan National Team Photo © ICC

"The ICC commits substantial investment to funding major events such as these which are a crucial part of its global Development Program throughout five regions of the world – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and East Asia - Pacific, within which this event and Samoa falls. The inaugural Pacifica Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, in February 2001, was an outstanding success and thus, with the support of all countries involved, the concept is being continued", Mr Kennedy concluded.

SECA President, Mr Seb Kohlhase, was thrilled with the announcement. "We are finalising our Organising Committee as we speak and it is now all systems go. We are looking forward to hosting a great Championships and a true celebration of cricket in the Pacific way", he said.

Exact dates and the fixture/format will be released in due course. The countries that will compete in the 2002 Pacifica Cricket Championships in Samoa are:
ICC Associate members; Fiji & Papua New Guinea
ICC Affiliate members; Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga & Vanuatu
ICC "New Territory'; New Caledonia.

For more information, please contact:
Seb Kohlhsae, SECA President, Ph. +685 22 790, Fax +685 22 480, E-mail sebk@ipasifika.net

Matthew Kennedy, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Manager, Ph. +61 (0)3 9653 9921 or +61 (0)409 218 883, Fax +61 (0)3 9653 9911, E-mail matthew_kennedy@acb.com.au

© ICC