Oman Cricket Squad Faces Crisis Over Unpaid Prize Money
The non-payment of prize money to the Oman cricket squad has had serious consequences, including players being denied contracts and employment visas revoked. The issue has raised concerns about the management of cricket in Oman and the treatment of players, with the World Cricketers Association calling for action to be taken to address the issue.
The Oman cricket team's participation in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a significant milestone, but the dispute over unpaid prize money has had serious consequences, including players being denied contracts and employment visas revoked. Captain Kashyap Prajapati has expressed frustration over the non-payment of the $225,000 cash prize announced by the ICC.
The squad, which did not win a game, finished 13th to 20th in the tournament, but the issue of unpaid prize money has overshadowed their achievement. The players claim that their contracts have been torn up, and they have been forced to leave the country due to the issue. The World Cricketers Association (WCA) has raised concerns over the non-payment, stating that it reflects poorly on the sport and adds to the widespread issues in domestic leagues.
The ICC guidelines require member boards to distribute prize money within 21 days, but Oman's board allegedly ignored the players' concerns and even removed them from the squad after they threatened to boycott the Emerging Teams tournament. This is not an isolated case, with five teams allegedly not receiving full prize payments, according to the World Cricketers' Association. The non-payment of prize money has had a significant impact on the players, with some forced to leave the country and others denied contracts and employment visas.
The issue of unpaid prize money has raised concerns about the management of cricket in Oman and the treatment of players. The World Cricketers Association has called for action to be taken to address the issue, and the ICC has been urged to ensure that member boards comply with their guidelines. The Oman cricket team's experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by cricketers in smaller nations and the need for fair treatment and payment.