The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 ICC Development Awards, acknowledging remarkable contributions to cricket’s growth among Associate Member nations. Now featuring seven distinct categories, the awards recognize initiatives aimed at enhancing grassroots involvement, increasing female participation, and boosting digital engagement within the sport.

Aims of the ICC Development Awards

Launched in 2002, the ICC Development Awards are designed to support the growth of cricket worldwide. The 2024 edition sees participation from nations such as Bhutan, Namibia, Scotland, and the USA, highlighting their innovative approaches to promoting the game.

2024 Global Winners Announcement

The following countries were recognized as the global winners for 2024:

• Bhutan
• Indonesia
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Scotland
• Tanzania
• USA
• Vanuatu

Award Categories and Winners

1. ICC Development Initiative of the Year

Winner: Cricket Namibia

The Ashburton Kwata Mini-Cricket Programme was awarded for its integration into public school curricula across Namibia’s 14 regions, reaching tens of thousands of students and promoting early engagement with cricket.

2. ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year

Winners: Bhutan Cricket Council Board & Vanuatu Cricket Association

Bhutan’s Inter-School Girls’ Competition successfully introduced cricket to many first-time female athletes, progressing from tennis balls to hardball play. Vanuatu’s “Picking Wickets” Programme combined remote and face-to-face training for seasonal workers, ensuring ongoing skill development.

3. ICC Associate Member Men’s Team Performance of the Year

Winner: USA Cricket

USA’s men’s team made headlines by reaching the Super Eight stage at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, marking their best-ever performance in a significant tournament and elevating the sport’s profile in the American media.

4. ICC Associate Member Women’s Team Performance of the Year

Winner: Cricket Scotland

Scotland’s women’s team qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, a historic achievement highlighted by Kathryn Bryce’s Player of the Tournament performance during the Qualifiers.

5. ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year

Winner: Cricket Association of Nepal

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) utilized a multi-platform strategy to engage a vast audience, accumulating 117 million total reach and over 420,000 new followers. Key highlights included:

• 13.4 million video minutes viewed on Facebook
• 2.13 million hours watched on YouTube, representing a 277% increase year-on-year
• 40 million views on Instagram due to compelling real-time content

6. ICC Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year

Winner: Persatuan Cricket Indonesia

The “Cricket for Confidence” initiative reached over 300 schoolgirls in underprivileged regions of Indonesia, providing their first experience with organized sports and promoting inclusivity through cricket.

7. ICC X Rexona Criiio Festival of the Year

Winner: Tanzania Cricket Association

This festival, held in Dar es Salaam as part of the “From Kitchen to Crease” campaign, gathered 120 women, including housewives and retired cricketers, showcasing cricket’s role in community empowerment.

Remarks from ICC Chairperson Jay Shah

“This is a celebration of global exceptionalism, with all winners worthy of the accolades they have received in their mission to grow the game in emerging nations. We join the world in celebrating the passion, hard work, and innovation behind these successful initiatives.” — Jay Shah, ICC Chairperson