Rathod eyes Cricket World Cup host role

DAR ES SALAAM: CRICKET Legends of Tanzania founder and group leader Kanu Rathod, a United Kingdom-based Tanzanian cricket enthusiast, has set his sights on Tanzania hosting a Cricket World Cup in the near future.

His vision comes as Tanzania’s cricket development receives a major boost following the recent inauguration of the new Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Cricket Arena at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) sports grounds.

Rathod, who has been appointed TCA Country Coordinator for the United Kingdom and Europe, said the new facility is a clear demonstration of the significant progress being made in Tanzanian cricket and could play a key role in helping the country reach the highest level of the sport.

Kanu Rathod with Australian Andrew Lloyd, the Hong Kong coach, during the ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket Challenge – Group B, held at TCA Arenas.

The arena will serve as a national high-performance centre, providing training facilities for the men’s, women’s and Under-19 national teams, while also supporting grassroots and elite cricket development programmes.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah, who was the chief guest at the inauguration, said Tanzania’s investment in cricket infrastructure and youth development strengthened the country’s position among Africa’s emerging cricket nations.

Rathod, who played extensively in Tanzania and represented the country before migrating to England more than five decades ago, praised the progress made under TCA Chairman Dr Balakrishna Sreekumar.

“I played a lot of crickets during my time in Tanzania and also represented the country. I migrated to England, but I have continued to follow Tanzanian cricket,” Rathod said.

“The way Tanzania is going cricket-wise, we have a future. Under the leadership of Dr Sreekumar, the TCA is doing a marvellous job. Everything is transparent and strong.”

Rathod said the development of three cricket grounds in about a year and a half was a significant achievement that would provide a stronger foundation for the sport.

Rathod said he hoped the country could eventually host a Cricket World Cup.

“If God willing, we will have a World Cup cricket event in Tanzania. That is my wish,” he said.

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In his new overseas coordination role, Rathod also plans to use his international contacts to bring teams from Europe to Tanzania for matches and exchange programmes.

“I am going to bring overseas cricket teams from England, Germany, Italy and wherever possible to Tanzania so that we can bring more cricket here and play more matches,” he said.