Impoverished Namibia, runners-up in the last ICC Trophy tournament in 2001 in Toronto, have already intensified their preparations for the event ? preparations which began last September and will continue right up to the eve of this summer?s ICC tournament in Ireland with a tour of the UK.

Namibia?s World Cup qualifying preparations shifted into high gear last September with the African nation involved in a total of 13 One Day fixtures against the likes of England, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

From January 24 to June 30 Namibia will compete in 21 additional One Day matches against Scotland, England, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda, culminating in a three-match tour of the UK just a week before the start of the World Cup qualifiers.

In just over a decade, Namibia have arisen from cricket obscurity to that of a nation perhaps on the verge of qualifying for the sport?s ultimate showpiece.

After severing both political and cricketing ties with neighbouring South Africa in 1989, Namibian cricket continues to point in one direction ? straight forward!

Granted ICC associate membership in 1992, rival countries immediately sat up and took notice of Namibia?s grand arrival on the international stage as the fledgling African nation, with a Growth Domestic Product (GDP) of $7,200 per capita, clinched the Plate Final in their debut ICC Trophy competition in Kenya in 1994 before finishing as runners-up to Holland in the 2001 ICC tournament in Toronto.

En route to the 2001 ICC final, Namibia defeated Bermuda by 75 runs.

So what is the key to Namibia?s alarming success in such a short period of time?

The recruitment of raw potential and nurturing of that talent, broadening of players? quality as opposed to quantity and continued maintenance of the overall cricket infrastructure can all be attributed to the country?s rapid ascent on the international stage.

Extensive involvement in international cricket, the recruitment of financial expertise, solid financial backing of the local Government and business sector, recruitment of professional coaching staff and coaching courses for scorers, umpires and groundsmen have also culminated in success for the NCB.

In the 1970s, youth cricket development was formalised in Namibia and an ongoing and relentless drive to introduce cricket to disadvantaged communities is now beginning to bear fruit.

The ICC have also played a significant supporting role in the African nation?s cricket success by staging coaching clinics for administrators, umpires and prospective coaches ? all of which have been well attended.

All domestic cricket clubs in Namibia are also coached by a highly-qualified professional coach as is mandated by the NCB.

Former professionals to have coached in Namibia include late Surrey wicket-keeper Graham Kersey, James Kirtley, Carlos Remy, Daynand Thakur and Neil Lenham all from England and New Zealand?s Rodney Bannister.

This summer?s ICC Trophy competition will see 12 teams compete for five 2007 World Cup spots in the West Indies.

Namibia have been placed in Group B along with the likes of Canada, defending champions Holland, Oman and Scotland while Bermuda, ICC Trophy runner?s up in 1979, will compete against Denmark, hosts Ireland, Uganda, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US in Group A.