Cricket foul play

By James Waindi

Cricket Kenya (CK) has finally broke their silence a month after International Cricket Council (ICC) stripped Kenya the rights to host next year’s under-19 World Cup.

The local federation said it was disappointed by the decision but at the same time refuted claims by veteran cricket analyst Zoeb Tayebjee that CK could have netted between Sh539m ($7m) and Sh616m ($8m) if they would have hosted the event in February next year.

"Cricket Kenya is saddened by what it considers to be wholly premature and unjustified decision to move this event to New Zealand. No reason appears to have been taken of the efforts we had made and the need for support we had requested.

"It is also difficult, with the benefit of hindsight, to resist the conclusion that such a move was premeditated given the manner in which an alternate host was produced," said CK Chief Executive Officer Tom Tikolo.

Icc Dealings

The ICC’s Associates and Affiliates informal meeting last month, which was attended by all the 94 non-Test playing countries, condemned the decision to move the event from Kenya to New Zealand and questioned ICC’s commitment to development which ran completely contrary to its existing policy.

"This is not the first time that Kenya has hosted such an important fixture and Cricket Kenya has maintained throughout its dealings with ICC’s that it would be ready by the time the tournament was to take place," he added.

Tikolo clarified that CK was not going to make any financial gains from hosting the event and termed reports appearing on some section of the local media as misinformed.

"Reports that CK would make millions from the event were not true. There was no real financial gain to be made. This tournament is an ICC feature event and advertising, media and broadcasting rights belong solely to the ICC and their partners.

CK only received a hosting fee of Sh11.6m ($150, 000) and we have spent well in excess of the amount in preparation and even used our own resources in the region of Sh3.8m ($50, 000) to purchase grounds machinery," he said.

Tikolo said it was vital for Kenya to host the global event saying it was unrivalled opportunity to spread interest in the game and elevate the country into a cricket destination, quite apart from the benefits that would inevitably accrue to other business sectors in Kenya.

"The event requirement was for Kenya to at least have 14 separate first class venues, seven to be used for matches and seven for full practice facilities.

CK denied claims that they went to sleep after securing hosting rights to the tournament in 2006, saying facilities in Mombasa at the Coast Gymkhana and Aryan Sports Club and in Nakuru’s Rift Valley Sports Club and Greensteds School were well on track and would be ready before the end of the year.