Statement from ECAD
from ECAD Chairman Stefan Pichowski
Location: London, 25 September 2011
Click here to download a copy of this statement
· Introduction
Dear all officials of DCIF and perspective fellow deaf cricket countries, I am delighted that we have been given this opportunity to gather together in Dubai. It is of gratitude to the people who are responsible for setting this up. For so long since India 2005, we have been waiting for this opportunity to gather DCIF and world governing bodies to get together around the same table.
· Deaf cricket, culture and obstacles
Since I have been involved in deaf cricket since 2003, deaf cricket has been a wonderful instrument to me and has enabled me and many other fellow deaf cricketers (past and present) around the world so much enjoyment, fulfilment as much as my fellow hearing cricketers in the UK and around the globe. Deaf cricket offers such a wonderful opportunity for all world deaf cricketers to engage on equal level playing field, on and off the pitch. The hearing culture cannot truly fully appreciate the barriers that deaf people and deaf cricketers face every moment of their lives. Deprived of communication, laughter, sound of local environmental sounds, animals and etc in the hearing world, needless to say the hearing impaired are in the minority. The hearing people hold an advantage and take for granted that deaf people are lacking. Isolation, lack of information and education can be a common reoccurrence. This is not to say that there are no successful deaf people in this world, in fact, there are many successful deaf people in both worlds, it’s just paramount that deaf people have to work much harder to achieve. Religion is also a common benefactor for many cultures and it can also create a divide, but I am pleased to see that our common goal is for the welfare of deaf cricket.
· History – 2005 to present
Obviously since the successful World Cup in India in 2005, there has been a lack of communication and organization that is expected of an organization and governing body. There has been a tri-nations series in Australia in January 2011, Pakistan toured England in August 2006, an Ashes series in England in 2008 and there has been various series amongst the Asian countries. We are lacking a truly global event / World Cup that requires organization, communication and a structure. The potential is there but we need to look beyond the culture divisions and use our common goal: Deaf cricket.
· Current global economic downturn
There is much coverage of the so called credit crunch, world recession and economic downturn in the last few years. I believe that this makes it absolutely critical to ensure that funding are kept secured with ICC or with another governing body’s account and that future host for events including the World Cup and international series need to be sanctioned by the host deaf/hearing cricket board whilst touring parties pay cost for their own flight, kit, staff and etc.
· World politics
Due to various international events in recent years, ECB have advised ECAD (England Cricket Association for the Deaf) that they will not sanction an England Cricket Team to tour in certain parts of the world. Currently, ECAD are looking at opportunities to tour South Africa, Dubai or here in England. It is important to note that it is now very difficult to grant touring sides’ visas for entry to England so individual countries must check with their governments, governing body and ECAD to see whether a visa will be granted to participate in England.
· Dubai, October 2011 & delegates from each country
ECAD will be sending two delegates to Dubai in October 2011 on the foundation that there will be other delegates from the other countries. We see this opportunity to launch a new era to set up future international series, future World Cups, and a new governing body to help bring forward deaf cricket.
· The bigger picture / conduct / fractions
As anywhere you go in the world, there are disagreements; there are different views, different personalities, different approaches and etc. World Deaf Cricket has proved to be no different from the rest of us. Having said this, it does not bode well on the rest of us when two parties cannot see eye to eye and their fractions affects everyone else, then it need to be brought to an end and allow deaf cricket to move on. I suggest that a new email forum with invited members only with a new DCIF website so this can be regulated. Otherwise the public disagreements will set to continue.
· Affiliation of the perspective hearing cricket board
Although more and more countries are gaining affiliation with their perspective hearing cricket board, there remains to be a few left to be desired. Whether the deaf cricket teams get their funding from the cricket board or a corporate sponsor, it is still essential to have affiliation with their cricket board. This would certainly help ECB & ECAD to work in partnership with other countries and help reassure relations to prosper.
· Proposed future committees & constuition
Obviously we need to learn from the last 5-6 years that following a world tournament, we need to follow this through I am confident that we will adopt new policies, procedures and a new constution. I have been a firm believer in having one vote per country with an open door policy to introduce new countries led by a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and event organizer (all committee members without the right to vote or equal to just one vote) with a board of one or two delegates from each country. It is important that the committee stage an AGM (annual or regular basis) and to upstage regular meetings rather than email to everyone in an open contact list. It is, in my opinion, a fair and democratic system for all.
· Asia Deaf Cricket
I would like to note my admiration for the countries on the sub-continent and their ongoing tournaments. As I understand, there are series and the Asia Deaf Cricket tournament is very successful and popular. I also see this is an excellent opportunity for deaf cricket to learn from this and use this network to bring all the countries together.
· Contacts with South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
I am pleased to say that ECAD have re-established contact this year with South Africa, Sri Lanka (Zaharine R Hameen – SL Patron) and Pakistan (Mr Raza Rafi) through networking. In the past, it has been extremely difficult to maintain the correct contacts via email. ECAD and ECB see this meeting in Dubai providing everyone to reacquaint themselves.
· ECAD’s future contacts with India Deaf Cricket
I am also pleased to say that India (Padam Passi – Joint Secretary of All India Cricket Association of Deaf) have sought contact with ECAD and this may present another exciting chapter in deaf cricket with a view of possible one day internationals and test matches between the two nations. ECAD are grateful to India Deaf Cricket for their efforts to contact us. It is important that potential series amongst countries must have their affiliations with their hearing cricket boards.
· DCIF
Despite all the faults that people have commented on DCIF from all over the globe, we have to “put our hats off” to DCIF and congratulate them for hosting a superb World Cup in Lucknow, India in November 2005. We have tried again to repeat the successful formula twice but failed. It has also made the rest of us realise what a difficult job it is to organize such a successful tournament. But it can be done and it must for the sake of deaf cricket.
· Eligibility criteria / deaf-Olympics
Upon this meeting in Dubai, I do feel that this need to be raised on the agenda so that we can have a fair, neutral and equal level playing field for all of us. I propose that for all deaf cricket series, World Cups and etc that we ask the committee at Deaflympics -http://www.ciss.org/ - to verify the audiograms prior to tournaments as there are costs implicated to banning players at the actual events and this is not fair to all playing parties, i.e. the opposition and the player’s team. It can also prove to be an unnecessary and emotional distraction for everyone.
· Future World Cups & Global events
If we cannot agree the venue of the next World Cup at the meeting, I would suggest that we approach the ICC to see if they can host the next World Cup at Dubai but we must prove our alliance, constitution, value, integrity, communication and unity to the ICC. To repeat the record again, we must display our affiliation with our cricketing bodies so we can be recognised as a governing body. The host will have to bear the costs of staging a tournament and to host committee meetings.
· Potential to start over again and the future
Although I can understand how some nations and personnel are sceptic and wary of the nature of this meeting but the executive members of ECAD are delighted with this renewed optimism and shall be sending two delegates to the meeting. It shall remained to be seen whether I can attend as I am nursing a broken collarbone but I am confident that everyone will gather around the table for the cause of the greater good. I wish everyone well, good health and to prosper.
Stefan Pichowski
ECAD Chairman