New Delhi – Cricket Namibia’s President Rudy van Vuuren has publicly commended ICC Chairman Jay Shah for revolutionizing support for associate members and upgrading cricket facilities. Shah’s recent tour of Namibia’s Windhoek stadium exemplified the ICC’s proactive role in nurturing the sport’s growth in non-Test nations.
Set to shine in the 2026 T20 World Cup alongside associates like Canada, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, UAE, and USA, Namibia is riding high on ICC initiatives. ‘Jay Shah has ushered in significant changes with a policy focused on empowering associates. Our high-performance facilities in Windhoek are a direct result of ICC assistance, as he witnessed during his visit,’ van Vuuren stated.
From a fourth-place finish in the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifiers to debuting in 2021 and qualifying for four straight tournaments, Namibia’s progress is remarkable. The president noted, ‘ICC support is bridging gaps in Africa. Associates must demonstrate that they hold the key to cricket’s future.’
Shah’s Windhoek meeting with African cricket leaders last month reinforced the ICC’s continental expansion plans. Namibia’s hosting credentials are impeccable: they made history with the Under-19 World Cup and will join South Africa and Zimbabwe for the 2027 Men’s World Cup. Their 2023 stint hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier drew eight competitive teams battling for global berths.
This acclaim for Shah signals a shifting landscape where associate nations are no longer sidelined, but central to cricket’s evolution.