Preparations for ICC Champions Trophy 2002

Officials from ICC Development (International) Ltd (IDI), who are the official organizers of the ICC Champions Trophy 2002, and the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) who have secured the commercial rights of the tournament, concluded a 4-day visit to Colombo from April 25-28, where discussions were held with the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka regarding logistics and planning for the ICC Champions Trophy 2002, to be held in Sri Lanka from the 12th to the 30th of September 2002.

The officials included Mr. Campbell Jamieson and Mr. Chris Tetley representing IDI, the Commercial arm of the ICC, together with Mr. Thomas Lavenant, Ms. Paula Warren, Mr. Neil Harvey, Ms. Joanna Lewis and Mr. James Rego representing GCC, a company operated by the World Sports Group Ltd. and the News Corporation Ltd.

Discussions were held with BCCSL officials who are involved in organizing the tournament, including Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya, the Chairman of the Interim Committee, Mr. Anura Tennekoon, the Chief Executive, and other members of the Interim Committee and management.

Detailed inspections were made of the two intended venues, the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium and the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds. A number of other venues, which may host practices and warm-up matches for the 12 teams, were also visited and discussions held with their respective venue officials. Several hotels in Colombo were also inspected and discussions held with their managements regarding accommodation for players and officials during the tournament.

The discussions covered all areas of planning for the tournament, ranging from finance to marketing, preparations at the venues, accommodation, telecasting, and media coverage.

This was the first of a series of visits by ICC officials leading up to the tournament. (BCCSL Media Release)