BRIEF
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is delighted to announce that Japan has been awarded the chance to hold the ICC EAP World Cup Series Qualifier in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture between between 23rd and 30th May 2004.

4 teams will participate in the tournament in a round-robin format, following which a final and 3 vs. 4th playoff will be played on the 29th of May 2004.  The games will be 50 over matches played under standard international one-day rules and formats.  Participating teams will be hosts Japan, Fiji, Indonesia and Tonga, all teams selected from within the East Asia Pacific Zone.

The winning team from the tournament will have the opportunity to move into World Group 4 under the ICC’s layered structure which allows all national bodies the potential to participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup should they keep winning.  Moving into World Group 4 allows the opportunity to play in a variety of international tournaments at all levels around the world.

DETAILS
The organizers of the tournament, the JCA Tournament Committee, are totally convinced that Fuji will be the ideal venue for such a tournament from various points of view. Fuji is ideal in location, facilities, local support, and potential for becoming the centre of cricket in Japan. Most importantly, an international tournament in Fuji will leave great legacies for JCA and cricket development in Japan in terms of ground/facility development and government/local support, while immensely expanding the opportunities for junior as well as senior cricket development in the area.
It must be stressed that the following advantages of holding the tournament in Fuji will ensure a successful and fruitful World Cup Series Qualifier;
? Two ‘Cricket’ grounds with concrete pitches next to each other!
? Great access to all necessary facilities during the tournament!
? Great local support!
? Great legacy for cricket development in Japan!
? Great view with the famous Mt. Fuji in the back ground!
The following sections and attachments will provide a detailed account on grounds, budget, legacy, organization, and other necessary considerations for holding the World Cup Series Qualifier in Fuji. If you have any questions or require more information, please feel free to contact the JCA at your convenience.
 
 

 Grounds
   Fuji is approximately a 3 hour drive from Narita International Airport, a 2 hour drive from Tokyo, and is located on the Tokaido, giving it excellent access from the Airport and other parts of Japan. There is currently one cricket ground with a concrete pitch and net facilities within the city and an exciting opportunity to lay another concrete pitch literally next to the current ground. Such ground development has gained the understanding, approval, and support of the City Government and local Ryokan-Kumiai (Hotel Union). The ground has an extensive parking area, and excellent access from the city provides all necessary facilities such as accommodation, grounds, function sites, etc within a 15 minute driving distance. The tournament organizing committee will have full access to the ground and facilities to prepare the grounds for the tournament. Thus, we are confident that, should the tournament be awarded to Fuji, we will be able to provide two well prepared grounds with concrete pitches and improved net facilities.

 Budget
   The tournament committee has submitted an extensive “Full” budget which considers all necessary requirements by the prices quoted to us at the moment. Please note that possibilities remain to be explored for discounts and sponsors, and some non-essential items included in the budget should be able to be substituted.  The JCA wants to present Japan with all of the tradition and mystery that it possesses, but also demonstrate the changing ways of a modern society.  The budget contains the opportunity to have opening and closing functions, and is being supported by a significant funding grant from the ICC.  Sponsors and fundraising activities are now being considered by the tournament Sponsorship committee to make up areas in the budget not covered by the ICC funding.

 Legacy
   An International tournament in Fuji will leave a great legacy for cricket development in Japan as a whole as well as in Fuji. These include the following:
? An additional ground exclusively for cricket with a concrete pitch and improved net facilities
JCA will have full access to this ground before and after the tournament and this will greatly contribute to cricket development in Fuji, Kanto, and Japan as a whole at all levels.
? A boost in general awareness of the game
   General awareness of the game will dramatically increase in Fuji through cooperation with the City Government, Ryokan-Kumiai, and through local media. Contacts with nation-wide media will also be exhausted. A boost in general awareness of the game in Fuji will immensely expand opportunities in junior, as well as senior cricket development including sponsorships.

 Organization
   Weather, volunteer availability, and national/school holidays are crucial factors in deciding on the timing to hold an international tournament. The average start of the rainy season in the Tokai and Kanto area is 8-9 June, and the average end of the rainy season is around the 20 July. However, the start and end of the rainy season tends to vary by a week, thus this period must be avoided. The beginning of May is known as the Golden Week with around 5 national holidays. This period can not be recommended as international and domestic travel and accommodation bookings become extremely difficult and usually expensive. In addition, school holidays start in late July, but vary from school to school, exams precede the holidays, and it becomes a high season for travelling. As students are anticipated as the main source of volunteers, this time must also be avoided. Thus, the latter two weeks of May should be ideal in terms of weather, volunteers, and avoiding high seasons.
   
 Other
? Overall government support
The Fuji City Government and the Ryokan-Kumiai are very supportive of cricket, and the tournament committee are confident in gaining their support and cooperation in various areas in organizing the tournament.
? Media Activities
We have contacts with local media, City Government, and Ryokan-Kumiai which the tournament intends to explore to increase the awareness of the tournament should it be awarded to Fuji. We also have extensive contacts with nation-wide media which we will exhaust.
? Sponsorship possibilities
We are confident that we can gain sponsorship deals through established contacts and government fund schemes, and will explore every possibility to cover partial costs of the tournament.

Key Members involved in Organisation of the tournament:
Tournament Committee
Naoaki Saida
Tetsuo Fuji
Naoki Miyaji
Kei Imamura
Robb McKenna
Mark McTamney

Tournament Coordinator
Robert Gilles-Martineau

Tournament Sponsorship Committee Director
Biju Paul

Tournament Media Officers
Gerard Brady
Eriko Nitta