One of the recently elected members of the ICC’s Chief Executives Committee, Gurumurthy Palani, expressed his desire to make a constructive contribution to the development of associate countries. Along with Anuraag Bhatnagar (Cricket Hong Kong, China) and Gurdeep Klair (Cricket Canada), Palani, who represented France, was a recent addition to the CEC.
Palani said, “I want to make a difference to the associate countries,” according to Cricbuzz.
He stated that he would like that the associate nations participate in the ICC’s decision-making process rather than only learning about the cricket organization’s decisions after they are made.
In the past, the ICC’s top-down decision-making process was its main issue.
Frequently, members wouldn’t be notified until after a decision was taken. However, things are now shifting. We’re trying to make sure that important problems are communicated to members prior to decision-making. The important thing is that they’ll be aware of what’s coming, regardless of their approval,” he continued.
The fifty-two-year-old commended Jay Shah, the chairperson of the ICC’s Board of Directors, for his efforts regarding the future of associate states.
“I think the ICC is currently headed in the right direction, but it still has to have well-defined short-, medium-, and long-term goals. By hiring someone like Sanjog Gupta as CEO, Jay Shah is infusing the ICC with a corporate ethos and youthful, vibrant leadership. Working under the inspirational direction of our illustrious Jay bhai, whose continuous dedication to the development of associate cricket is inspiring, excites me greatly,” Palani said.
Additionally, he hinted at using artificial intelligence to further cricket’s growth through digital channels.
“The ICC headquarters in Dubai exudes a new and innovative spirit. I firmly believe that cricket is at its prime right now, particularly for associate nations. Strong fan interaction is essential. We need to investigate how AI can support the growth of the sport, especially through digital outreach and social media,” Palani stated.
Palani was one of the European Cricket Association’s co-founders. At the moment, he serves as the body’s vice president. He chaired the inaugural meeting of the ECE in 2024.
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