ICC Signs TAPP Agreements With Four More Countries

ICC Signs TAPP Agreements With Four More Countries

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson (left) pictured with Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Wilfred Mukondiwa

©International Cricket Council

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalised Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP) agreements with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

Under the TAPP progamme, designed to develop more competitive teams at the highest level of international cricket, WICB has been awarded US$ 3 million over the next three years and ZC US$ 1.5 million over the same period.

West Indies will use the fund to invest further in its high performance programme and enhanced support of future and current players. Zimbabwe will be using the money to expand their 'A' team schedule and to identify and support future international players.

"We are delighted to be signing a TAPP agreement with the ICC, and are grateful for this enhanced support to help WICB achieve our high performance objectives," WICB President Dr Julian Hunte said.

"We have started to make progress on the field over the past year and this support will allow us to build on that by investing more resources than ever in the development of emerging talent in the West Indies."

Wilfred Mukondiwa, Managing Director of ZC added: "Zimbabwe Cricket is grateful for this support and looking forward to being able to strengthen our high performance pathway with this investment.  We believe the TAPP award will help us become more competitive in the international arena and facilitate the continued growth of the game in our country."

It comes soon after the ICC made similar agreements with Netherlands and Scotland earlier this week. The boards of both countries were awarded US$ 1.5 million over the next three years.

Cricket Scotland will use the funding to continue their development work and raise the profile of the game in Scotland and the Dutch board (KNCB) are aiming to use the money to play more international cricket, increase domestic cricket and support current and future players.

© Cricket World 2013