New Delhi, Feb 12 (.) Cricket Namibia President Rudie Van Vuuren has credited ICC Chairman Jay Shah for ushering in significant reforms aimed at empowering associate members, saying the global body’s support has helped narrow the gap between emerging and established cricketing nations.
“The ICC has adopted a policy of empowering associate members. Jay Shah has really brought significant change there. He was in Windhoek visiting our new stadium and discussing how the ICC has helped us develop that facility. Now, suddenly, we have those high-performance facilities,” Van Vuuren said.
He added that sustained backing from the ICC is enabling African nations like Namibia to strengthen their cricketing structures.
“Africa has nations like Namibia coming forward because of the ICC’s backing, so that gap will continue to narrow. We must make use of these opportunities to showcase our talent and show the world that associate members are the future of cricket,” Van Vuuren said.
Meanwhile, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus expressed disappointment over not being allotted a night training session ahead of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash against defending champions India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Thursday.
“Yeah, we haven’t been given night training before this game. I don’t know why. I think India have two night trainings and I see outside that Canada are going to have a night training now. So make of that what you want, but we’ll just rock up and do our Namibian way, which is to fight,” Erasmus said on the eve of the match.
Highlighting the infrastructural constraints back home, Erasmus pointed out that Namibia does not have venues equipped with floodlights.
“We haven’t got any lights in Namibia. Infrastructure-wise, it’s probably the challenge for us. So yeah, it’s not a casual thing. Barring the guys who have played in the Nepal Premier League, ILT20 and the World Cups we have played, you don’t get accustomed to lights and train under it very often,” he added.
Namibia face a stern challenge against India but remains determined to compete strongly despite the logistical hurdles.
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