Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi yesterday Cassim Sulliman, the CEO of the African Cricket Association, and ICC Regional Development Officer for Africa, said that the ACA were committed to helping Kenya set up the national league and to ensure that it incorporated all levels from junior schools up to the national team. Hitherto, the national league has been a much talked about but elusive goal for Cricket Kenya, but the inclusion of the continental body bodes well for a successful launch later this year.

A major stakeholders seminar has been planned for November to kick off the project and with strong corporate, government and ACA backing it is hoped it will draw delegates from all areas and levels. "We want all cricket stakeholders-administrators, players, umpires and spectators- to be included in the program as we want to be very keen when going to the new venture," said Sulliman who is currently on tour to drum up support and bolster the game throughout the continent.

With the history of politicking and personal squabbles in the game in Kenya at the moment, it is a big ask for this venture to go ahead without a hitch, but it is of paramount importance that those stakeholders Sulliman mentioned put aside their differences and work towards making this a success. If they can do this and see the bigger picture, there could be bright times indeed ahead for Kenyan cricket. Currently only a tiny minority play the game in the country, yet Kenya are still able to maintain their ranking of 12th on the ICC's ODI table. If more youngsters can be introduced to the game and brought through a meaningful national set up, there is no reason why Kenya cannot climb much higher - something not lost on Sulliman: "Kenya has shown the potential of joining the top cricket nations," he said. "It has the expertise and experience to move to the next level".

He also stated the very ambitious goal of attaining Test status within 4 years, though this may have just been rhetoric to stir up support for the program. There is no reason that Test status should not be the long term goal of Kenyan cricket, but in the short term it is far more important to maintain the current position as the top associate and strengthen the much weakened grass roots system. With impending games against Canada and Bermuda in the intercontinental Cup over the next two months and the national team without a coach and the Swamibapa players who make up the bulk of the national team not playing due to childish squabbles between the club and the NPCA, it is very much the survival of the Kenyan game that is at stake rather than the lofty heights of Test cricket.

All the right noises are being made by many of the right people to bring Kenyan cricket back on track. A meaningful national league at different age levels will do wonders in not only strengthening the player base, but will also give less power to individuals and clubs in the game who are out after their own ends. Marketed properly, it should also help grow the supporter base and from that will come new players and more corporate support. Now it is time to see some action to back up the talk.