Report on the concluded ICC WCQS Africa Region - Zambia 2004

The six team that participated had done so in the spirit of Cricket in Africa. Zambia Cricket Union had the honors and the opportunity to host this prestigious tournament.

The importance of this tournament  was not only to qualify for the 2 places in Ireland for the ICC 12 Nation WCQS and the Division 2 -1 place for the affiliates in Malaysia to qualify for Ireland, but the countries will also be seeded in accordance with their performance after these tournament.

Tanzania very bravely did not have this spots in mind but is preparing its team for the next 2 to 3 years and fielded a young team, the youngest 16 years and the oldest 27 years. It has a vision of a future strong team with players from its junior ranks.

Prior to this tournament we had written to the ICC regional Development Manager who is entrusted with the organization of this tournament that Umpires from some countries were not to the standard and their involvement could effect the result of matches. This was evident in the Africa Cup 2002 Tournament and the Under 19 World Cup Qualifier Tournament in Windhoek - Namibia 2003. It proposed neutral Umpires from South Africa or Zimbabwe the two neighboring Test playing countries to replace the incompetent umpires some countries were brining. Those countries should have been retained with their names specified, further more ICC were already paying the cost of umpires from each individual country. If Tanzania's proposal would have been considered seriously then arguably the 3rd place in this tournament would have changed.

The Organizing committee Zambia Cricket Union did not do justice to the prestigious honors the ICC placed on it. Grounds were under prepared, No Doctors were available to the team wanting medical assistance, both on and off the field. First Aid team on the grounds as promised by the  Convener were not there, Lunch was never on time especially when the lunch break was 40 mins fielding sides had to munch their meals and go to field, some games were played without Match Referees. The opening Ceremony on the 1st of August being a Public Holiday in Zambia started Late and the Cocktail served was not enough for the players, team managers had to rush to the nearest Hotels to buy meals for their players as Hotels closed at 9 pm while the Cocktail ceremony continued till 9.30 pm.

The closing ceremony organized was out of protocol as ICC and the participating team players were sidelined and their places were taken by the Zambia Cricket Union guests, Government Officials and the host countries dignitaries.

Team players plus officials were without seats while other enjoyed meals, one team failed to get its meal and had to do away with the bits and pieces left in the pans.

In conclusion "ICC function plus the tournament was hijacked", with ICC officials present were helpless.

Such tournaments should be bided by countries in Africa with in the ICC budget not necessarily the participating countries, and ICC standards should be maintained. The entire tournament should be supervised by ICC office. We are compelled to say these things because participating countries are contributing 50% of the entire cost of these tournament plus an additional cost for dinners and tournament preparations covers almost 100% and should have a say in planning these tournaments in future. Hope these plea don't fall on deaf ears this time.

 From Tanzania Cricket Association - 09/08/2004