Gary Hopkins, an
English ex-pat businessman who has been living and working
in the United States for 14 years, has been appointed chief
executive of an ICC development project, designed to promote
cricket in the USA.
The appointment
follows the ICC's commitment to developing cricket around
the world, and is the first step in a strategic project to
increase the profile and participation levels of cricket in
the USA. The initiative was given the support of the ICC's
executive board in October last year.
"The ICC is
delighted that, after a vigorous world-wide selection
process, Gary has accepted this unique role," said Malcolm
Speed, the ICC's chief executive. "This is an exciting and
challenging time for cricket in the United States and he
brings to the position a wealth of relevant experience and
expertise."
A passionate
cricket follower, Mr Hopkins has extensive experience in the
US sports industry, and has held senior executive positions
with Octagon, API Sponsorship and the International Academy.
He spent eight years assisting the United States Soccer
Federation with their commercial development, as well as
five years rebuilding the sponsorship, event and broadcast
programs for USA Track and Field.
"I am excited to
be able to help cricket expand its presence in the United
States," he said, "and look forward to introducing the
excitement of one-day international games to fans across the
country." His appointment was made in conjunction with the
United States of America Cricket Association (USACA), whose
president, Gladstone Dainty, welcomed the appointment. "USA
Cricket eagerly looks forward to the possibility of one-day
international cricket on our soil," he said. "We look
forward to working with Gary to achieve just that."
The President of
the West Indies Cricket Board, Mr Teddy Griffith, said the
West Indies was fully behind the appointment and development
of cricket in the USA. "As a Full Member of the ICC and the
Americas Development Region, the West Indies Cricket Board
is fully committed to supporting this special project for
cricket in the United States. The WICB looks forward to
doing all it can to bring the desired events to fruition."
Mr Hopkins, who
will be based in Pennsylvania, took up his position from
Monday, August 16, 2004..
reprinted from USA Cricket
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