Inspiring initiatives honoured as Global winners of ICC Development Awards revealed

ICC Development Awards 2023 Global Winners

ICC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR – MEXICO CRICKET ASSOCIATION

Throughout 2023, Mexico Cricket Association delivered a range of leading development programmes which left a significantly positive impact on Mexican society.

As well as participating in the Street Child Cricket World Cup in September in collaboration with Fütbol Más Mexico – where they sent a small group of children from Mexico to compete in the tournament in Chennai, India, they also initiated their Cricket in Prisons Programme in partnership with the country’s National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE).

Launched in Mexico City, the programme now sees hundreds of male and female participants take part in cricket clinics every week, not only improving the daily lives of prisoners, but also teaching important values, providing employment opportunities and ultimately contributing to their effective re-integration into society.

Following the successful launch, the programme is set to expand nationally, and will include competitive games taking place in Mexico City in 2024.

Ben Owen, Chairman of Mexico Cricket: “It is a huge honour to be recognised with an ICC Development Award and it means the world to each of us on a regional and national level.

“It is first and foremost a truly meaningful recognition at the highest level, that our volunteers who have put in so many hours are both valued and respected. It also shows our stakeholders, such as our National Sports Ministry, as well as current and future sponsors that cricket in Mexico is indeed on a huge growth trend and this recognition will accelerate conversations we are already having on multiple levels.

“Lastly, it highlights the power of cricket as a force for social change as well as raising our profile enormously which should open even more doors in the future.”