Sport | Cricket
BCCI ship 71 boxes of equipment to China
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have donated 71 boxes of cricket equipment to the Chinese Cricket Association.
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:14 May 11, 2009
Dubai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have donated 71 boxes of cricket equipment to the Chinese Cricket Association.
"We are keen to promote cricket in China and we are in the process of creating facilities for the game," Ashraf ul Haq, chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council told Gulf News.
"Cricket will be part of the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and a state of the art stadium is being built to stage the event. It will be one of the best in the world," Haq, who is keen to garner as much support from other cricket nations to popularise the game in China, said.
The cricket equipment that has arrived in Beijing from the BCCI is valued at more than Rs2 million (Dh154,140) and includes bats, balls, gloves, pads, stumps and protective gear.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had donated $20,000 worth of equipment about two years ago. The Chinese team is also being coached by former Pakistan player Rashid Khan.
China is now aiming to qualify for the World Cup in 2019.
The Chinese Cricket Association has announced that their motto is 'ming tien hui gen hao' which in Chinese means 'a better tomorrow'
The International Cricket Council has also promised financial support to China. Chinese women are also taking up the game and women's cricket will be part of the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Former Pakistan Test star Javed Miandad had visited Beijing as ambassador for cricket in China and provided tips to budding youngsters. Commenting on BCCI's help, Aminul Islam, the ACC Development Officer for China, said: "It is a great support from India and it will go a long way in advancing the training for more players."
Commenting on the support from India, General Zhang Tian, Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Cricket Association said, "it is like coal in winter".
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