Melbourne: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the body that governs the sport in Asia, may soon be dissolved.
Sources have told Gulf News that the ACC’s headquarters in Malaysia could be closed down a few months after the World Cup, most likely in June or July. A small office of the council may still function, but it is likely to be in Singapore.
The headquarters houses many staff, including chief executive Syed Ashraful Haq.
The council, originally known as the Asian Cricket Conference, was established in 1983 to promote and develop cricket in Asia and consists of 25 member associations. It stages tournaments including the Asia Cup, Asian Test Championship and ACC Trophy. It also runs many women’s and junior tournaments, with their futures now undecided.
Last season, the ACC conducted 14 tournaments, but a look at the calendar for the current year on its website reveals that none of the events are currently listed.
It could be that the ACC’s last ever tournament will be be the ACC Twenty20 Cup, which was played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Al Dhaid Cricket Village from January 25 to 30.
The ACC grooms umpires and coaches through its various programmes and employs cricket development officers to travel to all Asian countries.
Bandula Warnapura is the development manager, while the development officers are Aminul Islam, Venkatapathi Raju, Rumesh Ratnayake and Iqbal Sikandher. It is likely these officials will be absorbed by the ICC.
