Who Are the Winners of the ICC Development Awards 2024?

Dubai, July 20 (NationPress) The International Cricket Council has revealed the global champions of the 2024 ICC Development Awards across seven distinct categories.

Initiated in 2002, the Development Awards recognize the creativity and proactive efforts of the game’s Associate Members, who are pivotal in expanding the sport worldwide.

The 2024 awards feature seven categories, including the newly introduced ICC X Festival of the Year award. The top accolades are awarded to eight Members: Bhutan, Indonesia, Namibia, Nepal, Scotland, Tanzania, the USA, and Vanuatu.

ICC Development Initiative of the Year Winner: Cricket Namibia

This African nation is honored for its Ashburton Kwata Mini-Cricket Programme, a cornerstone grassroots initiative that is vital for cricket's growth in the country. It has been incorporated into physical education classes in public schools, making cricket accessible to tens of thousands of students across 14 regions.

ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year Winners: Bhutan Cricket Council Board and Vanuatu Cricket Association

For the first time, two organizations have jointly received the ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year award. The Bhutan Cricket Council Board is celebrated for its Inter-School Girls’ Competition, which promotes female engagement by initiating school-level contests with modified formats, starting with tennis ball cricket and advancing to hardball. This program has reached thousands of girls, many of whom are first-time players.

The Vanuatu Cricket Association is recognized for its ‘Picking Wickets’ program, a hybrid coaching model combining remote and in-person training while team members participated in seasonal fruit-picking jobs in Australia.

ICC Associate Member Men’s Performance of the Year Winner: USA Cricket

The USA earned this award for its remarkable performance during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 last year. As co-hosts, they surprised Pakistan and advanced to the Super Eight stage, showcasing cricket to thousands through mainstream American media.

ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year Winner: Cricket Scotland

Scotland secured this accolade for several impressive achievements over the past year. In 2024, they excelled in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier, qualifying for the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time. Captain Kathryn Bryce was named Player of the Tournament, leading to a significant rise in interest and participation in women’s cricket in Scotland.

ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year Winner: Cricket Association of Nepal

The Cricket Association of Nepal's strategic growth on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, along with their newly launched CAN Domestic Facebook accounts, resulted in a staggering reach of approximately 117 million and an increase in followers from over 1.17 million to more than 1.59 million, adding over 420,000 new followers.

On Facebook (CAN Official), video views doubled to more than 13.4 million, while the new CAN Domestic account achieved over 4.4 million minutes of views, highlighting the popularity of domestic cricket. YouTube watch time surged by 277% to over 2.13 million hours, and Instagram views surpassed 40 million, engaging fans with highlights, player stories, and live updates.

Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year Winner: Persatuan Cricket Indonesia

This cricket board is honored for launching the ‘Cricket for Confidence’ movement, which aims to empower schoolgirls in Indonesia's most underserved and remote areas through cricket.

In a nation of more than 17,000 islands, where structured sports for rural girls are nearly absent, this initiative has made significant strides socially, geographically, and culturally. More than 300 schoolgirls participated across five provinces, many of whom experienced organized physical activity for the first time.

ICC X Festival of the Year Winner: Tanzania Cricket Association

Tanzania is awarded for their Cricket Festival in Dar es Salaam, which united 120 women participating in their “From Kitchen to Crease” program, inspiring housewives, professionals, and even retired cricketers to partake in a day of cricket and camaraderie.

Jay Shah, ICC Chair, praised the winners of these awards while underlining the significance of recognizing such achievements.

“It is a joy to announce the global winners of the ICC Development Awards. This celebration of global excellence highlights the deserving winners who have made strides in promoting the sport in emerging nations.

“Each year, these awards shine a spotlight on the incredible growth stories around the world, and this year is no exception. We celebrate the passion, dedication, and innovative approaches behind these successful initiatives.

“I extend my congratulations to all recipients and look forward to witnessing these programs continue to thrive in 2025 and beyond.”