(L-R) Chairman Gaurang Patel, National head coach Shane Jurgensen and CEO Inoke Lesuma. Photo:Supplied.
As the ICC Cricket World Cup came to a close earlier this year, Cricket Australia and Cricket NZ announced they would be contributing a combined $400,000USD into an east Asia-pacific facilities and pitch development fund.
The Facilities Fund has now been made officially active and available to Cricket Fiji and the eight other Associate & Affiliate Members of the ICC in the East Asia-Pacific region to support up to 50% of the costs of approved projects. The remaining 50% is to be sourced from matching contributions of sponsors or local governments.
After last week receiving the official fund application forms, Cricket Fiji CEO and Chairman held talks with several interested co-investors regarding pitch and ground upgrades around the country. In the coming weeks Cricket Fiji intends to put forward several projects, and along with Fijian based investors, access the fund for a major overhaul of Fijis Cricket facilities.
Cricket Fiji Chairman Gaurang Patel stated, “the facility grant provides a platform for the development of the game and sustainable growth for the sport in our country”.
After strong results in recent years, including an U19 World Cup qualification, the facility upgrades will represent the next phase in a strategic development plan to instil a strong grass-roots cricket development program across the Fiji Islands.