Kenya have been stripped of the rights to host the 2010 Under-19 World Cup after an ICC report concluded that with only eight months to go before the event, it was "unrealistic" to expect Kenya to be ready to host the tournament. New Zealand will be hosts, subject to the agreement of satisfactory terms.
The decision was described by one leading Associate official as a "sad, sad day", while another accused the ICC of engineering "little more than a stitch-up".
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat described the outcome as "a difficult conclusion to have reached and a regrettable one".
While Cricket Kenya has yet to respond, other Associates have privately told Cricinfo that the decision effectively kills the chances of a non-major country hosting such an event again.
Kenya, who have spent more than US$150,000 on ground improvements, now face a massive loss. The ICC was not able to provide anything by way of solace other than assurances it would look into the situation.
In theory, the U-19 World Cup is an event which is used to boost the profile of the game outside the Full Member countries.
Posted by: Cricket Lover at June 26, 2009 11:35 PM
Pathetic move by ICC.
Posted by: colin macbeth at June 27, 2009 4:02 AM
Do I smell sabotage? Or is it just the whiff of Sharad Ghai's money? With the ICC having ruled out the UAE for the next World Cup and now Kenya for the Under-19s (NZ being the replacement) - together with its recent treatment of Namibia - it seems the ICC has really got its knife into the Associate members. I thought its remit was to bring the game on in developing countries, not consign it to the 'bin'. Adam Gilchrist wants the game for the Olympics. What is the IOC to make of the ICC's backward-looking way of going forward? Kenya may not have much of an Under-19 team at present, but I pity those who've put in lots of hard work in Mombasa and, more particularly, Nakuru, scene of some of the horrid clashes last year which cricket was trying to pacify. Or maybe that's what it's to do with? It's short-sighted, whatever the reasoning.
Posted by: colin macbeth at June 27, 2009 4:37 AM
Is this political, or what? With the ICC having ruled out the UAE for the World Cup and now Kenya for the Under-19s (NZ to be the replacement) - together with the recent treatment of Namibia - it seems the ICC has really got its knife into the Associate members. I thought their remit was to bring the game on in developing countries, not consign it to the 'bin'. Gilchrist wants the game for the Olympics. What is the IOC to make of the ICC's backward-looking way of going forward. Kenya may not have much of an Under-19 team at present, but I pity those who've put in lots of hard work in Mombasa and, more particularly, Nakuru, scene of some of the horrid clashes last year which cricket was trying to pacify. Or maybe that's what it's to do with? That's short-sighted, whatever the reasoning...
Posted by: Will. Thornton at June 28, 2009 11:56 AM
Once again the ICC shows its true colours in trying to ensure nobody else joins their "Club".
The obvious solution (to everyone apart from the ICC) is to channel monies into Kenya and make sure everything is ready and geared for the Under 19's. It is not too late. If needs be, they can take charge instead of playing the "Old Friends" game and stealing it away from Kenya.
It is time the ICC stood up and was counted. Give proper reasons, not veiled unsubstantiable airey fairy reasons, and actually be pro-active by showing the way.
Here's hoping one day the ICC will become enlightened.
Posted by: Vikram Maingi at June 29, 2009 8:53 AM
Not a great move at this stage.
Cricket development in Kenya is not moving at a good pace. Even giving Kenya the rights to host the cup was not a wise decision but taking it back when Kenyan authorities had spent $150,000 was an even worse decision.
Posted by: colin macbeth at June 30, 2009 7:32 PM
Alas, did anyone see this comment in the Daily Nation (Kenya)?
'And what of the news that the under 19 World Cup has been removed from Kenya - shouldn't this be headline news? This could be one of the reasons why it was taken away because there's no sense of urgency or interest about the competition in the country - the Media are not covering it and now no one seems to care that it was taken away. It's probably for the best then since there's no desire.'
This, if true, is a sad reflection on what has happened.
Posted by: Kaiser Mukhtar from Hong Kong at July 5, 2009 8:38 PM
It is another injustice to poor countries by the old fox with microscopes and magnifying glasses looking for lame reasons to tarnish the images of those who are struggling in the present day scenario. Bias, total bias. Instead of globalizing the game they are going backwards and stealing the joy of poor countries people and robbing their smiles.
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