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The ICC has announced the global winners of its 2024 Development Awards, honouring Associate Members for driving cricket’s growth. Namibia leads with its Mini-Cricket programme.
ICC Names Global Winners of 2024 Development Awards
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially revealed the global winners of the 2024 ICC Development Awards, recognizing the outstanding efforts of Associate Members in expanding and enriching the game of cricket worldwide.
The awards, launched in 2002, aim to celebrate innovation and grassroots development, highlighting the creative strategies and dedication of cricketing nations outside the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
Seven Categories, Eight Global Winners
This year’s awards span seven categories, including the newly introduced ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year. A total of eight Associate Members — Bhutan, Indonesia, Namibia, Nepal, Scotland, Tanzania, the USA, and Vanuatu — were named among the global winners.
Each award recognizes unique contributions to youth engagement, inclusion, sustainability, and community development through cricket.
Namibia Wins ICC Development Initiative of the Year
Taking one of the top accolades, Cricket Namibia won the ICC Development Initiative of the Year for its Ashburton Kwata Mini-Cricket Programme.
This flagship grassroots programme has become a cornerstone of sports education in Namibia, being fully integrated into the physical education curriculum of public schools. It has provided cricket access to tens of thousands of young students across 14 regional zones, fostering long-term development of the game in the country.
Impact of the Ashburton Kwata Mini-Cricket Programme
Namibia’s Mini-Cricket initiative stood out for its:
Nationwide reach, engaging children across urban and rural regions
Education-first approach, aligning sports with school curricula
Inclusivity, welcoming boys and girls from diverse backgrounds
Sustainability, ensuring ongoing support through local partnerships
Promoting Global Growth of Cricket
The ICC praised all awardees for their innovation, impact, and dedication, noting that such initiatives are critical to the sustainable growth of cricket globally.
“These awards honour the passion and commitment of our Associate Members,” said an ICC spokesperson. “Their work plays a vital role in bringing cricket to new audiences and developing the next generation of talent.”
Looking Ahead: Cricket’s Expanding Frontiers
With cricket expanding its footprint in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific, the Development Awards act as a beacon for best practices in sports engagement and cultural outreach.
As the sport readies itself for Olympic inclusion and wider global participation, grassroots efforts like Namibia’s Mini-Cricket Programme will play an increasingly crucial role.
More Topics:
ICC Development Awards 2024 winners, Cricket Namibia mini-cricket programme, ICC Associate Members 2024, cricket grassroots development, Ashburton Kwata programme, cricket growth in Namibia, ICC cricket development initiatives, global cricket awards 2024
Stay tuned for a complete breakdown of all award categories and their winners in the coming updates.