Switzerland, Tajikistan and Mongolia accepted as ICC associate members

The three countries have brought the global membership tally up to 106

Switzerland, Tajikistan and Mongolia have been admitted as ICC associate members following the governing body’s annual general meeting.

The three countries have brought the global membership tally up to 106.

The Mongolian Cricket Association was only founded in 2007, while Ulaanbaatar is considered the coldest capital city in the world.

“We see this as the best way to sow the seed of cricket so that the sport becomes part of Mongolian life,” said Battluga Gombo, founder of the national federation, which is in the process of building a cricket-specific facility on land donated by Mongolia’s government. They are also planning to enter men’s and women’s teams into the 2022 Asian Games.

“The first generation of school cricketers are now young adults setting themselves up in adult clubs and competing in inter-club and inter-province matches.”

Swiss cricket can boast 500 players and almost 50 coaches at junior level, as well as more than 20 senior men’s clubs and seven at junior girls’ level. The national side last played in 2009, coming second to Cyprus in the European Cricket Championship Division Four.

The "village ground" about to host a World Cup

For Tajikistan, this development comes two years after cricket was put on the country’s sports curriculum, with 4,000 people now playing the game across the nation. Dushanbe, the capital city, hosts a six-team national league.

“(ICC Membership) will open the doors for us to participate in various ICC competitions and educational courses,” said Najibullohi Ruzi, president of the Tajikistan Cricket Federation. “This would be a great incentive for us to focus on further accelerating the development work on our existing facilities, and increase our capabilities in the areas of coaching and umpiring.”

Tajikistan are planning to build a new ground to international standards; they share an ongoing relationship with Afghanistan and have extended an invitation for the full member nation to stage their home international matches there.

“With the help of Afghanistan Cricket Board, we plan to organise coaching and umpiring courses, and invite Afghan players to participate in our domestic competitions,” added Ruzi.

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