DUBAI (AFP) - The affluent emirate of Dubai is bidding to persuade the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate from Lord’s and official talks are set to take place next week, a newspaper reported.
“The ICC has been looking for a venue to shift its headquarters from London and Dubai has again emerged as a strong possibility,” Gulf News quoted a source as saying in the British capital.
ICC president Ehsan Mani and chief executive Malcom Speed were due to visit Dubai for talks with government officials, the daily said.
The Dubai government-owned Emirates Airlines is the ICC main sponsor and numerous ICC meetings have been staged in the emirate.
Gulf News noted that a large percentage of staff salaries disappears in taxes in London.
Malaysia is also reported to be a candidate to host the ICC headquarters.
Dunno about Dubai. The ICC HQ should be at a place which is atleast a test-playing nation. If taxes on staff salaries is the critical factor, why not Cayman Islands or Bahamas or even Luxembourg. I mean, who are they kiddin?
If they really wanna move it away from ECB's influence (quite rightly too, IMO) why don't they have a rotating Headquarter? Move it to the home base of the elected President/CEO. Many international firms work that way.
The ICC HQ should remain in London. No matter how biased the goras may be, they still are far more capable of running an organization with discipline than the non-visionary Dubians. Also, it is crucial that they stay close to MCC HQ at Lords since it is the only recognized governing body for cricket.