Republica: Let’s begin with the ICC Global Development Program. What it is?
Matthew Kennedy: The ICC Development Program began in 1998 and it’s a global program. The aim of the program is to try and promote cricket in 94 associate and affiliate member countries.
Republica: What are the activities of the program?
Kennedy: The program is split into five sections. The High Performance Program (HPP) focuses on best six associate members and tries to bridge their gaps with full members. In addition, the regional development program concentrates on junior development, education of coaches and umpires, facilities development as well as regional competitions. The development event section looks after WCL, the Intercontinental Cup, the Intercontinental Shield and the World Twenty20 qualifier.
Then there is women’s cricket development as a standalone function across all the regions. And, there is member support and comply function which is assisting members to have plans and budgets so they can make and achieve their objectives and goals.
Republica: It’s been more than 12 years since the program began. What are its achievements?
Kennedy: We had 45 members earlier, now we have 104 members and that’s a significant growth. But without a doubt, the biggest achievement in the period is the development of international competition structures: the WCL and Intercontinental Cup. And, [there is] the opportunity and access for every member to work their way through regional competitions into the WCL, and if they are good enough, all the way through to the World Cup or the World Twenty20.
Republica: How do you evaluate Nepal’s hosting of the WCL Div 5?
Kennedy: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and all the volunteers have done a fantastic job. It’s not easy to put on an international tournament like this. So the venues were fantastic. I am sure that there will be fantastic environment tomorrow [Friday] at all grounds as there are interesting matches.
Republica: Do you think the decision to hold the event in Nepal was wise?
Kennedy: Definitely. There are still two days to go but the promotion, the support of the media, including the live broadcast on television, is quite unique to Nepal.
Republica: Do you see the performance of the teams in WCL improving?
Kennedy: I think we are at the crossroads of the WCL. We are still at the early stage of the WCL with the promotion/relegation throughout the world. It will still take a few years for countries to find their positions. We will certainly see them settle down soon and the countries will challenge to go to the next level or be challenged by the lower division team. This is going to make it really exciting cricket.
Republica: How can Nepal improve?
Kennedy: Exactly what it seems to be doing now – work way up the ladder. Nepal historically has some very good results in the U-19 level in past six to seven years. I think the big challenge for Nepal is to replicate those successes in the senior team and the senior team should really have an ambition to break into the top 10 of the associate and affiliates nations. I know there are plans to do that.
Republica: There have been some criticisms against the program. The first is of course ICC focusing more on commercialization of the sports than development. How do you refute it?
Kennedy: There is no need to refute it. In terms of commercialization of the games, the ICC has broadcast partners and sponsorships in all major events. And, all the money is distributed amongst members. That’s why country like Nepal and USA have the funding, which has tripled in past 12 months.
Republica: Yet another criticism is that the program is not concerned about developing homegrown players at the time when some of the nations are competing with expatriates only. What you have to say?
Kennedy: In terms of the national team, we have very clear rules which say you need to be a national of the country or living and playing cricket in the country for past seven years and you can only have two players who have played in the country for the last four years. So, those rules are consistent for everybody. The key is not so much about making of the national team, as long as they are eligible by rules they are eligible to play at the ICC.
The key to development of the game is to make it sustainable.
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