ICC's new office reflects cricket's growth: Lorgat

Cricket's governing body moving to a state-of-the-art new office reflects the growth in the game's popularity and success, the sport's chief said Tuesday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) relocated last month from its temporary home at Al Thuraya Towers in Dubai Media City to a 38,000 square feet (3,530 square metre) building in Dubai Sports City, the first time it has occupied its own premises in its 100-year history.

The ICC, founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, was renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.

Chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "It was not planned, although coincidental, but it's befitting that we have this office in the centenary year.

"It certainly is reflective of the growth of the demands of the sport and reflective of the success of the sport," Lorgat told reporters.

The ICC has 104 members, 34 associates and 60 affiliate members. The body looks after the organisation and governance of cricket's major international tournaments, with a World Cup every four years, and biennial eight-nation Champions Trophy and World Twenty20 Cup.

"It is truly a spectacular office of a world class organisation, the ICC and we are fortunate that the Dubai government and the Dubai Sports City offered this facility to us, and with the ICC Global Cricket Academy alongside it," said Lorgat, who took over last year. DUBAI, Wednesday (AFP)