Canadian Cricket Association on track for ICCT 2001

The Toronto ICC 2001 Organizing Committee, chaired by Ron Aldridge, is well underway in tackling the huge task of hosting the 24 Associate countries in July 2001 in Toronto. There has been an observation that Canada was about "12 months ahead" at this juncture! A master blueprint and flow chart covering every conceivable aspect of the Tournament has already been provided to the ICC and the ICC Management Committee for planning purposes. Roger Floyd and the technical wizardry of the folks at RPA Consultants have done a remarkable job. Roger's background included massive projects like the world renowned SkyDome stadium. SkyDome, of course, was used for Indoor Cricket by the United Way in earlier years and posted record profits for the United Way in the inaugural event, even without the benefit of television. 45,000 people attended that event.

In ICC 2001, no cricket games are planned for SkyDome. There are already 10 grass squares available in the Greater Toronto area, thanks to the efforts of the ICC, BCCI, PCB and IMG/TWI. Special thanks are due to these organizations, and especially to Jagmohan Dalmiya, currently ICC President, to Ehsan Manof the PCB and ICC Finance Committee, and to Bill Sinrich and Andrew Wildblood of IMG/TWI fame. ICC 2001 and the CCA are again counting on all of these patrons to assist us in the final stages of our preparation.

The Toronto Cricket Club facility, hosts of the previous Sahara Cups and the 1999 DMC 'Festival' (WICB, PCB, BCCI teams) will figure centrally in the ICC Trophy 2001 tournament as well. It is projected that the ICC Trophy 2001 finals will be played at the Toronto facility. Twenty four countries are expected to be in Toronto for the 2003 World Cup qualifying Tournament in July. It is expected that at least three Associate countries will qualify from the Toronto tournament for the 2003 South African World Cup, under the able leadership of Dr Ali Bacher. The successful Associates must justify and continue to reflect the efforts of ICC Development.

The ICC Trophy Tournament has been held in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It has never been held in the Americas. It is also the final time that this type of format for World Cup qualification can be undertaken. Cosmopolitan Toronto will make all welcome and at home. The Italians, for example, will be in the largest Italian population outside of Italy. All countries will be in their "communities". This will be a great opportunity to mesh with 'grassroots' multicultural groups, probably for the last time.

As the number of Associate countries increase, the logistics become a huge problem. At present, this is already the largest cricket tournament in the World. The Canadian Cricket Association, the 2001 Canadian Organizing Committee are well on their way to hosting this massive and historic event in North America. North America is also historic for hosting the first cricket International; Canada vs the USA. The Canada vs USA Auty Trophy

game predates the modern Olympics and other major sporting events like the Americas Cup. The Americas look forward to the ICC Trophy 2001 as the start of the rebirth of major league cricket in this hemisphere.

Get on board, volunteers, world visitors and most importantly sponsors. This express is taking off!!! Book early or fail.