For many South Asian Cricket Leagues and teams up and down the Country the excitement would be in the air for the start to another long summer of cricket.
Sadly, as a nation we now find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic that brings many aspects of life into perspective. In such unique circumstances, it is important to focus on where this leaves the game and the South Asian Cricketing Community with the main focus rightly being on the health and well being of players and officials moving forward. At the same time, there is at the present moment no clear view on when we may see light at the end of the tunnel, when cricket can resume and in which form.
Until we get any green light from the ECB, it is important that the South Asian Cricketing Community has the information and guidance that is being channeled to the mainstream Cricketing Community. With this in mind, the National Asian Cricket Council have now been in regular contact firstly with the ECB on a weekly basis and equally importantly have had direct communications with some twenty-two South Asian Cricket League representatives from around the U.K. The very real concerns that these Leagues raised have been discussed with the ECB, such as the current situation with Local Authorities and the impact this pandemic will have on municipal grounds especially when you understand the attention these require and if and when these facilities will at all be ready. The very real matter of cricket ball orders and payments of these changes.
Following our extensive dialogue with our South Asian Cricket Leagues, it is quite clear that they have financial concerns going forward. We are working closely with these leagues and providing them with all the latest and relevant information regarding the ECB Support packages, including the loans and grants that they are offering.
In these unprecedented times, we will, of course, be continuing our weekly communications with the ECB and updating the South Asian Cricketing Leagues accordingly. In order to help kickstart the first phase of support, click on the links below for more information, and apply accordingly.
Please note: next week, ECB will announce a third Emergency Support Programme in response to COVID-19.
ECB Return To Cricket Grant Scheme 2020
ECB Emergency Loan Scheme 2020
Sport Wales also provides a kit bag of guidance for sports clubs and organizations called ‘Club Solutions’. Click here to find out more.
Government initiatives: Business Rates holiday, Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Statutory Sick Pay Rebate, Grant funding for rate-paying clubs, HMRC Time to Pay Scheme, Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Click here to find out more.
We will continue to offer support and guidance and you may make direct contact with us via info@nacc.co
