ICC calls off Doha meetings amid West Asia conflict, shifts key talks online

DOHA, Qatar (CMC):

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been forced to abandon its scheduled board and committee meetings in Doha later this month due to the escalating military conflict in West Asia.

The governing body confirmed that the in-person gatherings, planned for March 25-27, have been deemed impossible to host amid widespread flight disruptions and safety concerns.

With limited air connectivity to and from Qatar, a spokesperson indicated that while the physical meetings are off, the business of cricket will continue virtually.

It is understood that critical discussions, particularly those concerning the finance committee, will be convened online over the coming weeks.

The ICC remains hopeful that board members and committee heads could still meet face-to-face in April though this contingency relies heavily on the reopening of airspace to ensure safe passage for delegates.

The cancellation disrupts what would have been the ICC’s inaugural visit to Qatar for official meetings, a significant nod to a nation reporting a staggering 447 per cent growth rate in cricket participation.

The Doha agenda was packed with pivotal decisions regarding the sport’s commercial and international future. Key topics originally slated for discussion included the next cycle of global broadcasting rights as the current deal with JioStar is set to expire in 2027.

Directors were also due to hold initial talks regarding the composition of the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) and the road map for Olympic qualification ahead of the LA 2028 Games.

While formal working groups have been paused, sources indicate that informal dialogue regarding the FTP has already commenced, with several member boards engaging with counterparts to begin mapping out the four-year calendar.

The ICC delegation was set to include board directors, chief executives, various committee members, and the sport’s senior leadership team.