ICC, WACA to support cricket development in Indonesia

ICC, WACA to support cricket development in Indonesia

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia has secured strong support from the International
Cricket Council (ICC) and the Western Australian Cricket Council
(WACA) to develop cricket here after Indonesian cricketers showed
considerable achievement within the East Asia region.

Indonesia finished second at the inaugural ICC East Asia
Cricket Eights Festival, held from Feb. 25 through March 1 in
Perth, Australia. Other participants were Australia's indigenous
team, Japan and South Korea.

"Indonesia achieved a tremendous result considering that the
Indonesian Cricket Foundation only became an affiliate member of
ICC about six months ago when it participated in the event,"
ICC's regional development manager for East Asia and Pacific,
Matthew Kennedy told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

"As for Japan, which was crowned East Asia champion, the
Japanese have played the sport for some 12 years now," he added.

Kennedy was accompanied by WACA's community cricket manager
Phil Gregson and ICF's newly appointed administrator, Deniz
Ramis.

Gregson said WACA would cooperate with its Indonesian
counterpart to organize a comprehensive five-year plan to develop
cricket here.

"We are keen to be involved in this development program but it
will take time. It will include activities such as player-
coaching and development, training for coaches, as well as
promotional and marketing efforts," he said.

"In the long term, we will organize tests between both sides
or exchanges of players," he added.

So far, the sport has been played mainly by expatriates
residing in Jakarta and several other cities, from Commonwealth
countries such as Australia, the UK and India.

But the ICF, founded in June 2000, has started development
projects to introduce cricket to schools in Bogor, Denpasar and
Jakarta.

Ramis said he would prefer to strengthen existing cricket
spots in Indonesia instead of embarking on a rapid extension
program.

"It is better to consolidate the existing pockets so there
will be a solid base of able cricketers. Then we can think of
developing it in other cities," he said.

"We will concentrate at the junior level, such as school
students, so there will be sufficient cricketers by 2010."

Kennedy expected ICF to improve its national team to represent
Indonesia at the 2003 East Asia Cricket Festival, to be staged in
either Indonesia or Japan.

Indonesia will also take part, for the first time, in the 2004
World Cup qualifier to be held in New Zealand.