ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat looks forward to celebrating the organisation’s Centenary year in 2009.
The past twelve months has been another exciting year in the world of cricket with many memorable moments that stick in the mind. 2009 promises to be a wonderful year for cricket, with great ICC events and iconic Test series. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the ICC Centenary year, creating a chance to look back at 100 wonderful years of cricket. We will be championing the spirit of the game and the legends that have shaped the sport as well as those who selflessly dedicate their lives to nurturing the next generation.
Catch the Spirit
Since the ICC was founded on 15 June 1909, both the organisation and the sport have come a long way. I am proud and privileged to be the Chief Executive of an organisation which began as a three-country alliance between Australia, England and South Africa and has grown to a global family embracing 104 Members and millions of players, volunteers and supporters.
The ICC Centenary will embrace and celebrate the sport across the globe through a range of activities and events. Each Member country will be hosting a Catch the Spirit celebration which will be characterised by activities celebrating the special and historic nature of cricket, the promotion of the women’s game and youth development, the unique social nature of the game and the recognition of volunteers.
The Catch the Spirit campaign will be launched in Australia in January and will include the signing of a Catch the Spirit flag which will tour the world collecting signatories from Buenos Aires to Beijing.
Our global campaign is aimed at promoting the unique spirit of the game. Players and fans will have an opportunity to tell the world how and when they first became hooked by cricket’s unique spirit. More details on this can be found at our centenary website, to be launched in January, which provides an interactive platform for young fans right up to senior international players to share their thoughts on the spirit of cricket.
Celebrating cricket’s heritage
Much of the spirit of cricket is based on the history and traditions of the game as well as the cricket greats who have influenced it.
Representatives from all 104 Member countries will be invited to the ICC Annual Conference week at Lord’s Cricket Ground to help shape the next 100 years of international cricket.
The ICC will host a Centenary Celebration event to recognise the Test cricket legends that have played a major role in cricket’s evolution. The game’s all-time greats will also be inducted into the ICC International Cricket Hall of Fame, a new partnership between the ICC and the international players’ association (FICA) that will be launched at the start of 2009. This will provide a focal point throughout the game to recognise the leading international players from around the world.
As well as celebrating the players, time will be taken to look back at key events that have shaped the last 100 years of cricket during a
Cricket History conference at Oxford University in England and a book looking back at the history of the ICC will also be produced after the end of the year.
Centenary Medals
The ICC Centenary will recognise some of the committed individuals who are instrumental to the running of the sport - our volunteers. These dedicated souls are pivotal to preserving cricket’s special values as well as sustaining and developing the game at the grassroots and nurturing the stars of the future.
In recognition of their contribution to the sport, we will be awarding Centenary Medals to 1000 volunteers selected by our Members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the game and have gone beyond the call of duty in the name of cricket.
Great cricket events
2009 is also special due to the great cricket events which will provide inspiration for fans around the world. The ICC Women’s World Cup, ICC World Twenty20, ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier will draw talented players together from across the world. These global events are complemented by iconic Test series in what promises to be an exceptional year of international cricket.
A new era for ICC
The ICC Centenary is not only about celebrating the past, it is also about looking forward to a new era for the ICC. Promoting excellence is at the heart of the new headquarters which the ICC will move into in 2009.
The new purpose-built offices are situated next to the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai Sports City, which will become a Centre of Excellence for the benefit of ICC Members and the sport. The facility will be unparalleled and equipped to serve the interests of players, coaches, umpires, administrators and curators from around the world.
Social Responsibility
Over the course of the Centenary year we will be encouraging our stakeholders to join us in supporting young people affected by HIV and AIDS.
For the past five years, the ICC has worked with partners including UNAIDS, UNICEF and the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) to raise awareness and reduce stigma around HIV and AIDS and we will be taking this partnership to the next level in the coming year.
I very much look forward to commemorating our Centenary with you and hope you will share your passion for the game during the course of the year when we celebrate Great Sport and Great Spirit.
