Kenya: CK Appoint Picks Alpesh to Head Selection Committee

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Dun Okinyo

23 June 2011

Cricket Kenya (CK) have appointed former Kenyan international Alpesh Vadher as Chairman of the newly constituted national selection panel. Alpesh Vadher will chair the new panel which will consist of an appointed Selector and the Head of Elite Development who is in the process of being recruited. The panel will be additionally advised by the new national coach and captain once they are appointed.

The former right handed batsman was in the Kenya squad for the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. A professional accountant, he is now a partner with PKF based in Nairobi.

The appointment follows a comprehensive review of the selection process for national teams and interviews of a wide range of candidates. The selectors will be charged with implementing robust selection processes for all national teams with particular emphasis on the national team, A and Under-19 squads. They will also recommend players for national contracts and nominate a national captain.

In addition, both Alpesh and the soon to be appointed selector will sit on the selection panel for the appointment of a new national coach.

CK chief executive Tom Sears said: “Alpesh has represented his country with distinction over the years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he can offer. It was evident that we did not have the necessary provisions in place to ensure we have a robust selection and talent identification programme and it was an area we needed to address. There is no doubt that Alpesh can contribute enormously in these areas.”

Alpesh Vadher said: “I am very honoured and excited to take on the role of chairman of selectors. Obviously, the recent World Cup was not good and we need to ensure we build a squad of players that can take us into the future with improved performances and results.”There is a great deal of young talent in Kenya and we need to bring those young players through if we are to compete successfully on the international stage in the coming years. I am confident that with the changes CK is introducing, particularly in terms of domestic competition, we will have a stronger and wider pool of players to choose from going forward.”

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