Andrew Faichney, International Cricket Council’s Development Events Manager, said that ICC is confident that the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 is going to be a huge success.
At the conclusion of his three-day visit to Nepal to assess the facilities for the January 2010 event, Faichney added that ICC had put a lot of trust in past in Nepal looking at the nation’s love for cricket.
“Nepal is one of the leaders among associate nations in terms of crowd support, media and number of regional events it has hosted,” Faichney told reporters in a press conference organized by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and attended by Asian Cricket Council Development Manager Bandula Warnapura, national coach Roy Dias and CAN officials.
“During my visit, I met with CAN and other officials and visited facilities,” he said adding that he is confident that in next seven months, CAN will be able to complete works on preparing logistics.
CAN has already revealed plans to construct media center, repair boundary bars and improve pavilion facilities at TU Cricket Ground.
“There is seven months to go for the event and it’s important that we start working on the project,” he said.
“We have talked about ICC’s expectations and ICC do not have any concerns regarding the facilities.”
Warnapura said that for development of cricket permanent facilities are required. “I would love to see permanent facilities at all grounds but temporary facilities will be good for ICC event,” he said adding that ACC had no hesitation while recommending Nepal for the event.
He said that ACC will be overseeing works in Nepal to ensure that everything is done in proper manner for satisfaction of ICC.
CAN president Binaya Raj Pandey said that Nepal is capable of hosting big events while general secretary Tanka Paneru thanked ICC for providing the nation an opportunity to host a major event.
Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 is a path to World Cup Qualification with finalists qualifying for Division 4. Nepal, USA, Fiji and Jersey are confirmed participants while two finalists of Division 6 to held in Singapore in August/September 2009 will complete the lineup.
The first-ever Division 5 event was held in Jersey with Nepal finishing third after losing to eventual winners Afghanistan in semifinal and defeating USA. Afhganistan won Division 5, 4 and 3 to qualify for Division 2 – the WC qualifier but missed the qualification after finishing sixth.