ICC Launches 'criiio Day' Celebrating One Million Grassroots Cricket Participants

A Global Milestone for Grassroots Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the creation of 'criiio Day', an annual celebration scheduled for 1 November to commemorate the criiio programme reaching one million participants worldwide. Launched in 2021, the initiative focuses on the philosophy that cricket can be played 'anytime, anywhere, by anyone.'

Programme Impact and Accessibility

Designed as an entry-level programme, criiio provides a flexible curriculum available in 18 languages to remove barriers to entry. The ICC has supported the initiative by distributing approximately 5,000 cricket sets to various regions. Current statistics indicate significant global reach:

• Participation: 1,000,000 global participants with a 50:50 gender split.
• Leadership: Africa leads all continents with over 400,000 participants.
• National Leaders: Brazil accounts for nearly 200,000 players, while Bhutan has exceeded 100,000.
• Institutional Adoption: 65 ICC Associate Members deliver the programme, and all 12 Full Members have certified trainers.

Success Stories

The one millionth participant, 13-year-old Saidat Hamzat from Nigeria, credits the programme with providing her purpose and discipline. Similar success has been seen in Tanzania, where the 'Chanzo Cricket' adaptation is being integrated into the national secondary school curriculum. Additionally, the programme is already acting as a feeder for international pathways, with young players like Luna Olivera (Argentina) and Chisom Mary Okpe (Nigeria) progressing to national age-group teams.

Future Plans and Participation

The ICC views the growth of criiio as a critical component in developing the sport's global footprint ahead of its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. The inaugural criiio Day, set for 1 November (1.11), will be marked by a digital campaign. Fans and participants are encouraged to share their experiences using the hashtag #criiioDay. Further information regarding the programme can be verified on the official ICC website at https://www.icc-cricket.com/criiio