Kolkata, Jan 04: India would propose that China be included as an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council at the world body's next annual conference. BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told newspersons here today that the move was aimed at encouraging cricketing activities in China, which has shown a keen interest to make a big foray into the game.
"The ICC is taking the initiative to globalise cricket. The BCCI is also playing its part in this regard, though in a limited way. Our support to China should be viewed in this light," Dalmiya said after a day-long working committee meeting of the board.
China has already applied for membership of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
The ACC has also expressed its satisfaction at the groundwork made by the Olympic powerhouse to develop cricket.
ACC Chief Executive Syed Ashraful Huq had earlier said that since 1996, the Chinese had shown keenness to play cricket after watching the emergence of the game as a global sport and the success of the Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the world events.
Bureau Report