Magnolia, Tajikistan and Switzerland join ICC as new Associate members

The International Cricket Council welcomed the three newest members Magnolia, Tajikistan and Switzerland as Associate members during its 78th Annual General Meeting. With the addition of these three teams, the total number of ICC members including full and Associate has reached 106. 

Mongolia and Tajikistan also join the Asian Cricket Council as 22nd and 23rd members, Switzerland, on the other hand, is Europe’s 35th Member in the cricket playing community. 

While all three of these nations are very new to the game of cricket, the sport has been played in the Swiss country since the late 19th century as an Expat game. Mongolian Cricket Association (MCA) was established in 2007 but got the official administrator of the country only in 2018. The country would get a chance to give its women’s team exposure in the International Youth Green Games in September 2021, which it would be hosting. 

President of Mongolia Cricket Association Mr Battulga Gombo was rejoiced by the news of this achievement and said, “Joining the ICC is fundamental in the establishment of a coherent structure for cricket in Mongolia. I am happy to see this noble game helping the young people here.”

Cricket Switzerland (CS) got the official recognition as the national cricket administrator as a rival body Switzerland Cricket Association was banned in 2012 2014. The new Federation currently comprises 33 active clubs, and its teams compete regularly in Central European tournaments. 

Cricket Switzerland President, Alexander Mackay said: “We are immensely proud and excited to have been accepted as an Associate Member of the ICC. This is a reward for all the people involved in cricket in Switzerland that have helped develop the game.”

The last team to get the ICC membership this year, Tajikistan has its cricketing body, the Tajikistan Cricket Federation (TCF) formed in 2011 and currently has 22 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams across four affiliated member associations in the nation. 

President of Tajikistan Cricket Federation Mr Najibullohi Ruzi, speaking on this occasion said, “We are delighted to be accepted as an Associate Member of the ICC. We are very confident that we can successfully grow cricket in Tajikistan.”

While these new members were happy to get the Associate Members tag. Zambia and Russia remain suspended due to their non-compliance with ICC rules.