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Monday, 22 August 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a momentous occasion in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced that it has established its head office in Colombo.
The new ACC Headquarters opened at Maitland Crescent in Colombo 7, on 20 Friday August 2016. Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara graced the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest while Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake was the Guest of Honour.
The decision of the ACC to set up its permanent address in Sri Lanka was given overwhelming support by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Government of Sri Lanka, both of which helped pave the way for ACC’s entry into Sri Lanka.
“This move will strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as the nerve centre for the sport in the Asian region by uniting the region’s membership base of 25 countries to work towards global prosperity of the sport,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.
Commenting on the historic occasion the current President of ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala said; “ It gives me immense pride to welcome Asian Cricket Council to Sri Lanka, as it marks a new and exciting chapter for the sport in the region which will simultaneously have a positive impact on the game in Sri Lanka as well.”
“I have a passionate vision for the future development of the game in Sri Lanka and I believe that ACC’s move to set up its new office in Sri Lanka will play a big role in promoting and developing cricket resources in the country.”
He said the ACC has played a critical role in boosting the game and its vital infrastructure such as players, officials and technical expertise, and Sri Lanka intends to accelerate those efforts going ahead to achieve its vision for unity in Asia through global prosperity.
Three of the four major ACC countries, namely Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan have won cricket’s biggest extravaganza - the World Cup: India in 1983 and 2011, Pakistan in 1992, and Sri Lanka in 1996; as well as the World T20: India in 2007, Pakistan in 2009 and Sri Lanka in 2014.
“We believe we can improve this record further now that ACC has established its base in Sri Lanka,” Sumathipala said.
Speaking at the ceremony Sports Minister Jayasekara said that Sri Lanka has tremendous potential in terms of untapped cricketing talent both as players and administrators. “We believe that ACC’s presence will help to mine this potential to the fullest extent.”
Addressing the occasion, Minister Karunanayake said that the Government of Sri Lanka is proud to be associated with this groundbreaking enterprise and looks forward to be of service in the future when needed, in developing the sport of cricket in the Asian region.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is a cricket organsation established in 1983 to promote and develop the sport of cricket in Asia. Subordinate to the International Cricket Council, the council is the continent’s regional administrative body, and currently consists of 25 member associations.
ACC runs a development program that supports coaching, umpiring and sports medicine programs in member countries, funded from television revenues collected during the officially sanctioned Asian Cricket Council tournaments including the Asia Cup, Asian Test Championship, ACC Trophy, and various other tournaments.
