Dubai, October 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the launch of ‘criiio Day’, an annual global celebration of grassroots cricket, to be observed on November 1. The initiative marks a major milestone for the programme, which has reached one million participants worldwide since its launch in 2021.
The criiio programme aims to introduce cricket to new audiences through a free, adaptable curriculum available in 18 languages. Built around the principle of “anytime, anywhere, by anyone”, it seeks to make the sport accessible to people across diverse communities and regions.
The programme’s millionth participant is 13-year-old Saidat Hamzat from Nigeria’s Lagos State. Initially unfamiliar with cricket, she was introduced to the game through a criiio Festival organised at her school.
“Cricket has given me purpose, discipline and joy; it has changed my life,” Saidat said.
Her mother also acknowledged the positive impact the sport has had on her daughter, saying, “We see a happier daughter now, and that came from criiio. One day, I hope to see her in a Nigeria jersey.”
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said the programme had made a significant impact in its five years of existence, highlighting its potential to expand cricket’s global reach.
“We are proud of the impact that criiio has had in just five years. It is a truly transformative programme, demonstrating the power of ‘play’ to unite communities and change lives while keeping fun and discovery at its core,” Gupta said.
He added that reaching one million participants reflected the collective efforts of ICC members, partners and other stakeholders.
With cricket set to return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, Gupta said the programme presented an opportunity to introduce the sport to millions of people worldwide, particularly children.
The initiative has reached more than 65 ICC Associate Members, while all 12 Full Members have certified criiio trainers. The programme has also achieved an equal gender split, with women and girls accounting for 50 per cent of its one million participants.
Africa has emerged as the leading continent for criiio, with more than 400,000 participants. Brazil leads among individual countries with nearly 200,000 participants, while Bhutan has crossed the 100,000 mark.
The programme has been adapted to meet local needs in several countries. In Tanzania, it has been introduced as the Swahili-language initiative ‘Chanzo Cricket’, with the government making cricket a priority sport across 3,542 secondary schools.
In Japan, criiio sessions have been conducted on padel courts beneath Tokyo Skytree. The initiative has also reached remote areas of Mongolia and supported migrant children in Chile.
The programme has helped nurture emerging international players as well. Argentina’s Luna Olivera, who joined through a community initiative in 2023, was selected for the country’s Women’s U19 team in 2026. Nigeria’s Chisom Mary Okpe, who was introduced to cricket during a school session in 2025, has progressed to the country’s U19 team.
The inaugural criiio Day will be marked by a global digital campaign, with ICC members encouraged to share their stories on social media using the hashtag #criiioDay.
The date, November 1 (1.11), also reflects the three ‘i’s in the programme’s branding, which symbolise the stumps and bails of a cricket wicket.
FOLLOW NOW
