Although Kenya has not had the best of tournaments, it is very sad to see that the ICC is contemplating not including any of the Associate Nations in the next World Cup. This is truly backward, as it denies these countries the experience they need to graduate to the top levels of the game, and, more importantly, it removes the possibility of dreams for young cricketers, including in our own club, to play at the highest level the sport has to offer.  One can only hope that the ICC will strive hard to provide alternative arrangements for the Associate Nations, but this may be a forlorn hope.

In reporting on our activities over the past year, I shall start with the Development Program, which continues to provide opportunities for young cricketers.  It is not without its challenges, especially the loss of players to other clubs and a current lack of resources to cast our net wider.  We have benefitted greatly from the services of Martin Suji as the development coach.  Sadly for us, but happily for Martin, he has taken up a role as coach of the Ugandan national team.  We wish him well and hope that he returns to us very soon.  For the coming year, we need to seek new recruits, appoint a new coach and rethink our development strategy, and this will be a primary aim of the new Committee.

In the Annual Report last year, I outlined an ambitious plan to refurbish our facilities, indeed to bring them to international standards.  Two major jobs were completed during the year – the completion of the new sightscreen at the Club end, and the purchasing of new covers.  I can also report that plans are well advanced for the renovation of the practice nets.  This will involve the replacing of the poles, new netting and re-laying the artificial surfaces.  I am also pleased to say that, under the initiative of Adrian Naughten, we have started on the pavilion, with repainting and revarnishing of the outside of the pavilion, touching up of the guttering and downpipes, new lightshades and repair of the fence.  The two ‘big ticket’ items remain – the major changes to the pavilion including the enlargement of the visitors changing room and renovation of the library, and the ground itself.  We hope to begin on these during the coming year.

Related to this, one of the key events during the year was a fund-raising Hootenany.  Not only was this a great night, it also raised over 450,000/- and brought the name of the Kongonis to many who had not heard of us and the Development Program.  May I take this opportunity to thank Stewart Henderson who was the force behind this and drove it from concept to reality.

The most important part of our Club is, of course, the playing of cricket.  With thanks to the Club Captain, Paul Marshall, I can provide the following summary of our activities.  The Kenya Kongonis non-league fixture list has received renewed attention in the past year, as demanded by the club’s strategic five- year plan.  With the aims of providing cricket to the membership, engaging the ‘non-league’ cricket community and encouraging tours (more succinctly captured in our charter), we played a number of fixtures against social, youth, representative, touring and club teams.  Without exception the matches were played in great spirit and in many cases we also managed to win.  A summary of the types of matches played follows:

·         Development Fixtures: Kenyan U/19 which we won by 2 runs. Kongonis Colts 20/20 matches, 1 win & 1 loss.

·         Social Fixtures: We recorded solid wins in enjoyable fixtures against the Bushcats, Pedagogues, Unplayables and also won the Banda six-a-side tournament.

·         Inbound tours: We had cracking fixtures and victories against the 2 Rifles, and in two matches against a Shropshire XI.

·         Outbound tour: with thanks to Julian Ince we had a wonderful weekend in Nakuru where we managed to win a tight match against a Rift Valley select XI.

·         Non-league club cricket: We played a series of four matches against Simba Union, although we were on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline, the matches were very competitive, the cricket was played at a great standard and the spirit was fantastic.  We also played a match against Premier Club.

·         In terms of our participation in NPCA cricket, we acquitted ourselves well to finish in the top half of the Division 1 Table in the 50 over league with teams comprised mostly of development colts and recently won the T20 trophy for the 2^nd year running with a team that had a wonderful balance of Kongonis members, colts and development colts.

One of the treasured characteristics of our Club is the value we place on the traditions of the game.  We play competitively and with full respect to the history, ethos and spirit of cricket. There is no doubt that this is acknowledged, and held in high regard, by others in the cricket community.    It is something we must continue to do, especially in these times when we witness the thoroughly disheartening episode of Test cricketers deliberately bowling no-balls for financial reward.  In such times, it is even more important that the Kongonis, and like-minded clubs around the world, practise, cherish and pass on the values and traditions of our game.

 Those of us who travelled to the UK in anticipation of a special Tour were not disappointed.  We were treated to fantastic hospitality, great matches and venues and, as we had hoped, a very enjoyable Tour Dinner with two expert speakers.  I am very pleased to pass on to you that the scholar, Dolla, was judged by some to be the best so far and impressed everyone on and off the field.  I can also report that the call for contributions to the Development Fund went out again and, thanks to the generosity of the UK members, we have further funds to underpin us for a few more years.  The final point on UK matters is the prospect of the UK members touring in a little over twelve months.  This will be a great opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and to meet and welcome new ones to ‘HQ’.

In closing, I wish to acknowledge the contributions of three members of the Committee who will not be part of the new Committee. 

First, Tom Tikolo tendered his resignation last year, as his work had taken him out of Nairobi.  Tom served on the Committee for many years and was also Club Captain and Hon. Secretary.  His was a friendly and supportive voice for the Kongonis in the administrative circles of Kenyan cricket.  In all his dealings with and on behalf of the Kongonis, Tom was always the gentleman and we wish him well.

We are also losing Alton Rego from the Committee.  Alton has also been a Committee member for many years and most recently he has undertaken the most taxing of responsibilities of Development. Not only does this involve taking care of the myriad details of the squad, it also involves managing the Club’s only employee, the Development Coach.  Alton has handled this job extremely well and his leaving will leave a large gap to fill.  Alton, thank you very much for all your energy and work.

And, finally, the Hon. Sec. has also decided it is time to have a rest.  Mike Rogan has been a Committee Member for almost a decade and prior to his becoming the Hon. Sec., he was Club Captain.  His contribution to the Club has been enormous, both in the hard work he has put in and his valuable advice when decisions of importance have been made at the Committee.  He always has a considered opinion and is always more than willing to contribute his advice, no matter how contrary it runs to the general opinion running around the committee table.  Mike, please accept our heartfelt gratitude for all of your work over the last many years.

Finally, to all the other Committee members, may I say thank you, on behalf of the Club, for your input into the running of the Club and your advice and guidance in keeping the Club strong and moving ahead.

Thank you.