Following on the heels of the ICC becoming an IOC recognized federation, the Brazilian Cricket Association has now been officially recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Sport, which opens the door to a number of important support programs.
The Association s corporate sponsors are now eligible for a 1% tax rebate, while individuals can receive a 6% rebate on their financial support. They have also enrolled three Brazilian players to receive Athlete s grants Rudyard Hartmann from the men s team, Juliana Britto and Erika Reinehr of the women s team, who will each receive over US $400 a month for the next year to help with their training expenses.
It also means Brail will now have three paid Development Officers. While a number of people joined forces to apply for this government recognition, everyone in the Brazilian Cricket Association wishes to thank our President, Ian Webster, for overseeing the entire process. In other news, league play in Brazil is taking a break due to the rainy season, but the season is underway in Sao Paulo and at the HSBC ground in Curitiba, where Gralha Azul (N.Baldwin 75) won its opening T20 match by 53 runs over Swadisht.
Taken from the ICC Americas newsletter of March 2008