The ICC's Anti-Corruption programme will be a key topic of discussion at the forthcoming ICC Executive Board meeting which takes place in Nairobi, Kenya next week (16th and 17th October).
The meeting will receive a personal presentation from Sir Paul Condon, head of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, which will explain in detail the structure, remit and Terms of Reference to which it is working.
It is anticipated that up to US $4 million will be spent by the ICC to fund the Unit over the next three years, including an independent staff of six, travel and office facilities based in London.
The meeting is also expected to ratify the issuing of Declaration forms to all international players, umpires, referees, officials, administrators, employees and curators.
The confidential statements will be issued to all relevant individuals by each Board and returned for recording, analysis and any relevant action by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Other major agenda items for discussion at the two day Executive Board meeting and the Cricket Committee-Management meeting that precedes it on the 13th and 14th October will include:
Advisory Panel on Illegal Deliveries: to receive recommendations from the sub-committee on a revised process and procedure for handling players reported by umpires or referees as having a suspect bowling action. Safety of Players and Umpires: ICC is working toward a comprehensive directive covering guidelines for the safety of all players and officials involved in international matches. ICC International Panel Umpires: further discussion of matters raised at the Umpires' biennial conference held in August this year. These will include practical implementation of the new Laws of Cricket, which became effective from 1st October. It is intended to recruit a full time Umpires Manager to help develop umpiring standards at international level. It is also intended to obtain a sponsor for the international umpires. ICC Referees Conference: took place on 30th September/1st October in Nairobi. Main points of discussion included the need for consistency in the application of the ICC Code of Conduct, communication with players, concerns over pitch standards and security issues. the appointment of Porter Novelli as the ICC's global communications consultancy, advising on reputation and issues management. As part of this move ICC has seconded Mark Harrison for a six month term as its communications manager, working from the ICC office. a presentation from Seamus O'Brien and Ian Frykberg updating the current situation with the World Sports Group/News Corporation contract. ICC Development Manager Andrew Eade will outline strategic proposals for the ICC Development Program among Associate and Affiliate members. Two new Development Managers have recently been recruited. Robert Weekes will be responsible for the Americas, from a base in Toronto, Canada while Matthew Kennedy takes on East Asia Pacific, working out of Melbourne, Australia. FICA: representatives Barry Richards, Tim May and David Graveney will give a presentation to the Cricket Committee-Management meeting outlining the aims and objectives of the Federation. International Tours Programme: ICC is moving towards adoption of a 10 year programme of international cricket among all Test playing countries. 2001 ICC Trophy: a progress report will be presented on the tournament, which will take place in Toronto, Canada in June and July 2001.Editor's note: a media release detailing the major outcomes from the Executive Board meeting will be distributed on Wednesday, 18th October and posted on the ICC web site at
www.icc.cricket.org 