In the month of June, Friends of Kenya Cricket UK (FOKC) hosted a dinner for the visiting Kenya Cricket Association (KCA) officials and Kenyan players turning out for county clubs in England.

It was a great occasion for the newly elected KCA chairman Samir Inamdar in his first trip outside the country as chairman to have been honoured to attend a dinner hosted by the official supporters club for Kenya cricket in the United Kingdom.

As the only organisation bent at supporting the game outside the Kenyan borders, it was a pride and even a greater honour for Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, playing for Haverigg in Cumbria to attend the dinner.

Further pride for the association was the attendance of another Tikolo, also a former Kenya captain Tom, to be in the travelling party of the KCA that joined the FOKC officials at the Blue Ginger restaurant in Harrow.

David Waters, a great supporter of Kenya cricket through the Kongonis link in the UK that has helped tens of budding youngsters find a footing in the game at the early stages was also honoured at the evening.

From the FOKC side, chairman Surinder Biant was at hand to meet the Kenyan officials who put up a gallant fight to maintain the One day International (ODI) status that the country

Inamdar said after the meeting that he was happy with the reception and promised as a sign of assurance to change the image of the game in the country.

“I can say that I am happy with the gesture from the true friends of the game in the country in the UK. It is not going to be easy for us to make it far in the game of cricket. Through support and sponsorship from people like our friends abroad, we shall be able to meet our targets as an association” he said.

Kenya captain Steve Tikolo said that it was a great honour to be part of the people honoured to attend reception, which makes him feel even more proud as the Kenya cricket captain.

Hitesh Modi, a national team member and one of the longest serving members of the team attended the reception alongside Abid Janmohammed.

Tens of other supporters of the game in the country attended, including Sam Ochieng of Sahara Communities Abroad (SACOMA).

After the ICC Annual Conference at the Lords in London, chairman Inamdar said that he was sure that he has made the right start in the leadership of the KCA, promising a more transparent association, with checks and balances on the way.