Officials from the ICC’s academy – based in Dubai Sports City – have welcomed a team of developing cricketers from Nigeria.

The Howzat Pioneers touring team recently met with senior management and were given a taste of the coaching and development programs that will be available to visiting teams. The ICC Global Cricket Academy will provide a unique environment for coaching, game education and training in outstanding facilities with some of the games best coaches.

“The ICC Global Cricket Academy will be an important asset for emerging countries like Nigeria to learn new skills and develop the game within their country,” said General Manager Marc Archer. “Our coaches, led by former Australia and England academies coach Rod Marsh, will offer a variety of coaching programs to help raise the game standards of all of the 104 ICC members.”

The Pioneers are a private under-19 club side set up by the Howzat Foundation for Cricket to help raise interest in the game.

“The ICC Global Cricket Academy will be very important for countries like Nigeria.” said Dr. John Abebe the Chairman of the foundation. “Nigeria will benefit greatly from the programs available for groundsmen, coaches, administrators, umpires and, most importantly, the players themselves.”

The ICC Global Cricket Academy has two international-standard ovals with pitches constructed from clay imported from Pakistan and Australia to replicate playing conditions around the world.

Players and coaches will also be able to take advantage of the advanced technology developed to help diagnose and rectify problems with batting and bowling styles. The ICC Global Cricket Academy’s indoor facility will house seven indoor practice nets, fielding area, video analysis area, recovery room, gymnasium and spectator viewing area.

Jon Barber