Peru and Suriname secure awards for the first time

The ICC Development Program has announced the regional winners of the 2007 Annual Awards.

In all, 162 nominations were received from 49 different Members and Bermuda and Namibia were the big winners, with each receiving three awards.

The African country picked up awards for the Best Overall Cricket Development Program, Best Junior Cricket Initiative and Best Cricket Promotion and Marketing Award.

Bermuda also secured three awards; the Best Overall Cricket Development Program, Best Spirit of Cricket Award in Partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF and the Photo of the Year.

Seven other member countries collected two awards each: Botswana, Nepal, Indonesia, Japan, Vanuatu, Germany and Scotland.

Two Members – Peru, who only joined the ICC as an Affiliate member in 2007, and Suriname – received prizes for the first time.

ICC Global Development Manager Matthew Kennedy congratulated all of the award winners on their achievements.

“These Development Program Annual Awards have become more competitive each year and the Regional judges have recently had a very tough task,” said Mr Kennedy.

“As well as congratulating the winners, I’d like to say that all the submissions leave us feeling immensely positive about the health of the game around the world.

“This year’s awards again illustrate the way many established development programs are flourishing as well as how new initiatives and programs are coming to the fore. The global awards are sure to be heavily contested,” added Mr Kennedy.

The Development Program Annual Awards, which began in 2002, promote excellence in cricket development and recognise exceptional performance and service to the game in the ICC’s 91Associate and Affiliate Members.

Nominees in 2007 came from a range of levels - country, club, association, team, school and individual - highlighting the positive impact cricket is making on the lives of people from culturally diverse communities.

The Regional Award Winners listed below will each receive an ICC plaque and be put forward for the ICC Global Awards.

The global winners will receive a $2,000 cricket equipment grant.

These winners were selected by the relevant regional head office from the many entries received and will now be nominated for the global award in the relevant category.

The judges for the global awards are Ray Mali (ICC President), Ehsan Mani (Past ICC President), Malcolm Gray (Past ICC President), and Keith Bradshaw (MCC Chief Executive and Secretary). The global awards will be announced on 14 March 2008.