Jay Shah has been appointed as the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the third successive term via a unanimous decision. Notably, Shah is also the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva has proposed the extension of Shah’s term for the second time and the nomination was unanimously backed by all the members of the ACC.
Shah had taken over the reins of the ACC in January 2021 from Nazmul Hassan, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) making him the youngest administrator to be re-appointed as the ACC President.
Under the guidance and leadership of Jay Shah, ACC has achieved significant progress in promoting and developing cricket across the Asian region. Notably, the ACC successfully organized the Asia Cup in T20 format in 2022 and ODI format in 2023, showcasing Asia's capability to host premier cricket events.
"I am grateful to the ACC Board for their continued trust. We must remain committed to ensuring the all-round development of the sport with a special focus on regions where it is still in its infancy. The ACC is committed to nurturing cricket across Asia," Shah said in a release.
"I am pleased that the ACC Board supported the proposal unanimously. Jay has a proven record of boosting finances through commercial and broadcast deals and channeling the finances to the grassroots level, uplifting the associate members. Under Shah's guidance, the ACC has been instrumental in unearthing and promoting new talent in cricketing powerhouses like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka," Silva said.
Pankaj Khimji, chairman of Oman Cricket and vice-president of the ACC, also extended congratulations on Shah's term.
"I've worked closely with Jay Shah for a considerable time and know firsthand his passion and enthusiasm towards administration. He is a young and dynamic leader with a clear vision and roadmap. Not only has he managed to foster a collaborative spirit among the Member Boards but has significantly enhanced the financial and commercial standing of the ACC. Today, stakeholders see value in investing in tournaments that the ACC conducts, and I credit him for this major transformation, which will further fuel the growth of the game in the region. I look forward to working closely with him on taking ACC to the next level," Khimji stated.
Nazmul Hassan, the President of the BCB and Executive Board Member of the ACC, welcomed the reappointment of Shah.
In addition to hosting flagship events, Shah's tenure has seen the ACC actively promoting cricket in various regions across the continent. Emerging cricketing nations such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and others, have displayed increasing interest, highlighting the ACC's commitment to expanding the cricketing landscape.
(ANI/PTI inputs)
