ICC Development Awards 2024: Global Nominees Announced

ICC Development Awards 2024: Regional Champions Set Sights on Global Glory

Global Nominees Announced as ICC Development Awards 2024 Reach New Heights

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the regional winners of the ICC Development Awards 2024, marking another milestone year for Associate cricket and celebrating the impact of the sport far beyond the traditional powerhouses. The announcement, made via press release on June 4, reveals not just the recipients of regional honours, but also the evolving scope of cricket's growth globally.

In a year that welcomed a brand-new category the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year the awards saw an impressive 24 ICC Members honoured for their local innovations, community outreach, and on-field brilliance. These regional champions now move forward as nominees for the Global ICC Development Awards, with the final results to be announced following an independent voting process featuring the likes of VVS Laxman, Samuel Badree, and Katey Martin.

From Namibia to Nepal: How Associate Nations Redefined Cricket’s Reach

One of the standout elements of this year’s announcement is the geographic diversity and depth of innovation across the award categories. Whether it’s Cricket Namibia’s continued rise in African cricket, Brazilian Cricket Association's groundbreaking work in the Americas, or Qatar Cricket Association’s bold social development initiatives, the winners represent a cross-section of cricket’s rapidly expanding global community.

The Development Initiative of the Year category reflects the heart of this celebration. Namibia, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Greece earned top regional honours, each deploying strategic programming either physically or digitally to bolster cricketing infrastructure and youth engagement.

Women’s Cricket on the Rise: Inclusivity at the Forefront

This year, the Female Cricket Initiative of the Year category put a well-deserved spotlight on the remarkable work done to promote the women’s game. From Sierra Leone’s grassroots approach to Cricket España’s inclusive player development programmes, the message is clear: cricket is for everyone.

Notably, the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year added an empowering layer, dedicated to events that increased female participation and left lasting legacies. Global shortlisted nominees include Tanzania, Nepal, Indonesia, Emirates, and Saudi Arabia each of whom delivered community-driven festivals that uplifted women’s cricket in meaningful ways.

Performances That Inspired: Men’s and Women’s Team Highlights

While grassroots development was a core focus, performance on the field still mattered and mattered greatly. Uganda, USA, the Emirates Cricket Board, Japan, and Guernsey were selected as top regional men’s teams, while the women’s side featured achievements from Nigeria, Indonesia, Scotland, and again the Emirates Cricket Board. Their showings in ICC events and bilateral series not only boosted local enthusiasm but also demonstrated that Associate cricket is closing the gap in international competitiveness.

Digital Engagement and Social Impact Driving the Narrative Forward

The Digital Fan Engagement of the Year and Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year categories showed how cricket has matured into a platform for storytelling and societal contribution. Namibia and Nepal led their regions with digital innovation, blending education and entertainment to attract new fans.

Meanwhile, Cricket Chile and Cricket Kenya exemplified how the sport can tackle real-world issues from educational access to mental health awareness. Social impact isn't just a buzzword here; it’s become an essential pillar of the Associate cricketing blueprint.

Expert Judging Panel and Global Voting Begins

As the excitement builds, attention now turns to the global judging panel. With household cricket names like VVS Laxman and Samuel Badree, as well as international business leaders like Nitin Agarwal, the global winners will be determined with a mix of on-field insight and off-field foresight. The panel represents a diverse mix of voices to ensure the most deserving projects receive global recognition.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah commented on the milestone announcement by underscoring the broader significance of the awards: “For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members. Cricket is a vehicle for change, and these awards prove that.”

What’s Next?

The final Global Award winners will be revealed across the ICC’s official digital platforms once the voting process is complete. These awards serve not only as recognition but as an encouragement for all Associate Members to continue pushing boundaries in cricket development, gender equity, digital engagement, and social transformation.

Each entry, whether it resulted in trophies, new participants, or societal betterment, is a reminder of cricket’s growing footprint in places often overlooked by the mainstream spotlight. And in 2024, that spotlight shines brighter and wider than ever.