The Federation Royale Marocaine De Cricket in association with CBFS has great pleasure in announcing that over US $550,000 will be distributed towards current and former players during the Morocco Cup 2002, which will be held in Tangier between August 12th-21st.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa will compete for the inaugural trophy in a 50-overs one-day triangular series. It will be one of the richest prizes in the cricketing calendar with $250,000 in prize money at stake. The three countries have announced full strength squads for the series, which is seen as a vital preparation for next year's World Cup which will be held in South Africa.

In addition to the prize money a benefit fund of over US $300,000 will be dispersed through the respective boards of each of the participating countries. The Cricket Board of Pakistan has nominated Azeem Hafeez, Ijaz Faqih, Rizwan-uz-Zaman, Jalal-ud-Din, Anil Dalpat, Moshin Kamal, Azam Khan as beneficiaries.

Sri Lanka has nominated Rumesh Ratnayake the former fast bowler who will benefit. The United Cricket Board of South Africa will allocate the money to its cricket development programmes.

The Cricket Benefit Fund Series was founded in 1981 by Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, a businessman from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The aim of CBFS is to provide financial benefits to former and current players from the test playing nations in recognition of their unique contribution to the game. Since its inception CBFS has provided more than US$5 million to cricketers from around the world.

The CBFS has also been at the forefront of developing cricket and instrumental in bringing in a fresh approach and trying new ideas. It was the first organization to introduce neutral umpires in One-Day Internationals, now a permanent feature in International cricket. Its innovative and professional approach to organizing international competitions has won praise and support from the cricket authorities.

The CBFS is committed to adopting all the recommendations of Lord Condon's report to preserve the ethics and integrity of the game and is spearheading a campaign to ensure that all matches are conducted in an open and transparent manner. The security arrangements for the Morocco Cup 2002 will be the most stringent undertaken at an international cricket Tournament, modeled on those introduced at the most recent competition in Sharjah, in compliance with the ICC's Anti Corruption Unit's recommendations.

© FRMC