by Skola Sengi – EM TV Sports, Port Moresby
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday that the ICC under 19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament will take place from October 14-23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
After serious assessments following the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal, the ICC has now decided to relocate the tournament from Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur.
In a press release released from the ICC, via Cricket PNG, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “Due to the tragic events in Nepal in recent months, coupled with the damage caused by the earthquakes and the on-going relief operations, it has been decided that it would be better to relocate the tournament from Kathmandu.”
“Thankfully, the Malaysian Cricket Association has offered to host the tournament, and, based on previous experience including the successful hosting of the ICC WCL Division 3 [event] last year on short notice, we anticipate a successful event in Kuala Lumpur.”
Despite the relocation of the tournament, the PNG U-19 Garamuts remain in camp and continue their training in preparation for their matches.
Garamuts Coach, John Ovia, is confident that the team will deliver come October.
The Garamuts will face Uganda, USA, Nepal and Ireland in October, in what is the eighth time PNG has qualified to compete in the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifier.
