On 5 September 2001, the International Cricket Council (ICC) was delighted to announce that Apia, Samoa, had been selected as the host venue for the 2002 Pacifica Cricket Championships and that the Samoa English Cricket Association (SECA) had keenly accepted the appointment. Excitingly, this event is now just hours away, commencing on Wednesday 29 May.

At the original announcement, Samoan Prime Minister and SECA Patron, Mr Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said, "this is a triumph for sport in Samoa. Cricket is a fast-growing sport in this country and we are committed to ensuring a world-class event with efficient organisation and outstanding facilities. The tournament will be staged at the Samoa Gardens Sporting Complex where significant cricket ground developments and improvements will take place over the next nine months to ensure that the venue matches the occasion and that staging the event leaves a lasting legacy for Samoa in its bid for major sporting events in the future. The ICC has committed to assisting us in this endeavour which is fantastic.

"The 2002 Pacifica Championships will be staged in June to coincide with our 40th anniversary of independence celebrations. It is sure to be an exciting time in which Samoa is show cased on the International stage," the Prime Minister added.

ICC East Asia – Pacific Development Manager, Mr Matthew Kennedy, said, "the appointment of Samoa as host befits the significant progress that has been made in the short time since it became an Affiliate member of the ICC in June 2000.

"With seven competing nations, the Pacifica Championships is without doubt the feature event of the ICC's East Asia - Pacific Region at this stage, and the new grounds in Apia are an excellent venue for this important competition which is played under full One Day International rules and playing conditions", he added.

"The ICC commits substantial investment to funding major events such as these which are a crucial part of its global Development Program throughout five regions of the world – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and East Asia - Pacific, within which this event and Samoa falls. The inaugural Pacifica Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, in February 2001, was an outstanding success and thus, with the support of all countries involved, the concept is being continued", Mr Kennedy concluded.

SECA President, Mr Seb Kohlhase, is thrilled to have the tournament in his homeland. "Our Organising Committee has worked tirelessly. We are looking forward to hosting a great Championships and a true celebration of cricket in the Pacific way. The recent visit from Sir Richard Hadlee to promote the game and the event here has sparked unprecedented interest", he said.

Most teams have already arrived in Apia and the official Championships Opening and Welcoming Ceremony will take place at the Samoan Government Building tomorrow.

The fixture/format is attached. The countries competing in the 2002 Pacifica Cricket Championships in Samoa are:
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu & New Caledonia.

Scores/results can be followed at www.icc.cricket.org (Development and East Asia – Pacific / Tournaments links).

For more information, please contact:

Seb Kohlhsae, Samoa English Cricket Association President & Tournament Manager, Ph. +685 70 419 (mobile)

Matthew Kennedy, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Manager, Ph. +685 76 849 (mobile)

Tim Anderson, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Officer, Ph. +685 76 848 (mobile)

Championships Office (irregularly staffed), Ph. +685 30 641, Fax. +685 23 652 (Attention; Matthew Kennedy – Cricket Tournament), E-mail cricket@samoa.ws

© ICC 2002