The Namibian government has congratulated cricket on the great strides being made by the game in that country culminating in the Namibian team's qualification for the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

Namibia's minister of basic education, sport and culture, the Hon. John Mutorwa, enthusiastically welcomed Ali Bacher, executive director of 2003 CWC, during a one-day visit to Windhoek by South Africa's tournament chief.

Dr Bacher and Namibia Cricket Board president Laurie Pieters and chairman Ian Stephenson held fruitful discussions with the minister and other Namibian government and sporting dignitaries.

Mutorwa, who interrupted his annual leave to meet Dr Bacher, praised > Namibian cricket for bringing honour on its country in Canada and for pursuing an exemplary development programme at home.

He told delegates he appreciated the importance of the Cricket World Cup to southern Africa and described it as an opportunity not to be missed in promoting and marketing the region.

Bacher extended an invitation to Mutorwa to attend Namibia's World Cup games as a VIP guest in February 2003.

Namibians are gearing for their entry into cricket's "big time" in 17 months when they play in a World Cup group headed by defending champions Australia.

Namibia qualified for the prestige 14-team global event by finishing runners-up to the Netherlands in the recent ICC Trophy qualifying tournament in Toronto.

From that event, Netherlands, Namibia and Canada qualified for the last three berths still available at the World Cup.

Rodney Hartman Communications Director 2003 Cricket World Cup Tel: +27 11 446-3604 Fax: +27 11 446-3622 Mobile: 083-389-0904

© 2003 CWC