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Robson Sharuko, Harare Bureau
THE entire global cricket family, a high-powered delegation drawn from more than half the number of countries who are members of the United Nations, is set to roll into Victoria Falls in April next year in the biggest gathering of the world’s sports fraternity ever hosted on Zimbabwean soil.

It’s another massive vote of confidence in domestic cricket, in particular, and this country, in general, as Zimbabwe Cricket’s revival continues to gather momentum after a very difficult period in which the game staggered in a web of stagnation.

Already, Zimbabwe has been handed the rights to host the 10-team 2019 ICC World Cup Qualifier next year, after beating strong bids from the United Arab Emirates and Scotland and Ireland, with the showcase set to be held in March next year in Harare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe.

Zimbabwe, West Indies, Ireland and Afghanistan will battle with six other countries who will come from the second-tier qualifiers currently involving the likes of Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands, Namibia, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Nepal and Kenya for the two slots available for a place at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

In a game where playing in your conditions usually matter, the ICC’s decision to give Zimbabwe the rights to host the 2019 ICC World Cup qualifiers should brighten the chances of the Chevrons to grab one of the two slots available for a place at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the significant financial benefits that come with such participation.

Now, it has since been revealed that the entire global cricket family will be in Victoria Falls in April next year for the International Cricket Council Annual Conference, a high-powered indaba which brings together representatives from all the 104 ICC members.

Zimbabwe Cricket spokesperson, Darlington Majonga, confirmed to our Harare Bureau yesterday that the global cricket family was set to be in Zimbabwe in April next year.

The ICC has 12 Full Members — South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and England.

The world controlling cricket body also has 92 Associate members, who include some of the world’s richest countries, in their fold.

They are Rwanda, Sychelles, Sierra Leone, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Falkland Islands (suspended), Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname and Turks and Caicos Island.

Bahrain, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal (suspended), Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, South Korea and Vanuatu are also part of the Associate Members.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey form the European contingent.

The Europeans, with 33 members, form the biggest bloc of membership, followed by Africa with 22 and the powerful Asian bloc with 21 members.

“There are 21 members of the ICC in the Asia region with Afghanistan taking the biggest strides over recent years,’’ the ICC said before also noting the “strong performances at the global level from Oman.’’

“Europe as a region has the most number of members of the ICC, with 33 in total. There are varying degrees of growth across the membership in Europe outside of the Full Member England. From Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands . . . to the newest members Hungary and Serbia beginning to develop a fan base in non-traditional markets.

“The ICC has a long term ambition to become the world’s favourite sport and our four year strategy that will take us through to 2019 is the first step on that journey. During this period we will lead the continued drive towards more competitive, entertaining and meaningful cricket for players and fans.

“We will grow the sport by creating more opportunities for more people and nations to enjoy it and increase the competitiveness of international cricket at all levels. We will promote cricket by delivering exciting and engaging global events, attracting new and diverse fans and building long-term successful commercial partnerships.

“And finally, we will continue to make considerable efforts to protect the integrity of the sport.’’

At the last ICC Annual Cricket Conference in London, the United States, this year, Afghanistan and Ireland were accepted as Full Member of the organisation, the United States were expelled as members pending a rehabilitation process expected to be concluded by April next year while Falkland Islands and Nepal remained suspended.

The hosting of the 2018 ICC Annual Cricket Conference in Victoria Falls, while set to present a range of economic opportunities for this country, is also pregnant with some political baggage as it would certainly mark the first time that a delegation of the England and Wales Cricket Board is set to come to this country since politics soiled England’s 2003 ICC World Cup game against Zimbabwe scheduled for Harare forcing the English to forfeit that match.

With the country set to host elections next year, there have been concern by some within the cricket family — who have always been opposed to Zimbabwe — about the suitability of hosting both the ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers and Annual Conference here.

But the ICC have given Zimbabwe the nod to go ahead and prepare for the hosting of the two major events on its soil next year which are likely to be a huge test for the country’s cricket authorities’ ability to put together events of such magnitude without challenges.

ICC cricket chairman Shanshank Manohar spent five days in this country recently on an official visit in which he paid courtesy calls on the country’s leadership and met the game’s authorities.

The visit was meant to lay a foundation for further co-operation between the ICC and Zimbabwe Cricket and was described by the ZC managing director Failsal Hasnain, whom reports suggest he took a significant pay cut to take the job because of his passion to help local cricket turn the corner and leave a legacy, as a milestone.

“We are delighted to host the ICC chairman in Zimbabwe. His visit is, without any doubt, an important milestone for ZC that will help shape the future of the game in the country,” he said.

Manohar, who was in the company of his wife during the visit in August, also visited the country’s biggest tourist attraction, the Victoria Falls.

He is expected to continue as the ICC leader until, at least, June next year.