Hong Kong cricket in line for funding boost after ICC disbands Asian Cricket Council

Hong Kong will be in line for more funding from the International Cricket Council after the disbanding of the Asian Cricket Council, said top official John Cribbin.

Cribbin, who was vice-president of the ACC before the regional body was shut down by the ICC last week, said funding for associate nations would be enhanced over the next seven years, even though there would be no preferential treatment to Asia.

“In the past, the ICC provided funding of 6 per cent from the overall budget, but now it will come from their administration and event budgets. This will result in more funding for associate cricket development from 2016 to 2023,” Cribbin said.

Hong Kong receives annual funding of more than US$350,000 from the ICC as part of the high-performance programme.

The ICC is reported to receive a record sum of around US$2 billion from 2015-2023 for its audio-visual broadcast rights from Star India and Star Middle East.

Cribbin also said the game’s development in the region would not be affected by shutting down the ACC, which employed development officers.