International Cricket Council to Celebrate Inaugural Criiio Day
The ICC will mark the global initiative's first annual celebration on November 1 after the program reached one million participants.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cultural
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The International Cricket Council has established November 1 as an annual Criiio Day celebration to recognize the global cricket program. This announcement follows the milestone achievement of the initiative reaching one million total participants worldwide.
Why it matters
The program aims to introduce cricket to new audiences while removing common barriers to entry, such as high equipment costs and limited access to play spaces. By fostering participation globally, the initiative seeks to inspire future athletes ahead of the sport's return to the Olympic Games at LA28.
The Criiio program has achieved a 50:50 gender split across its one million participants and utilizes a curriculum translated into 18 languages. Additionally, the ICC has distributed 5,000 cricket sets through the Beyond Boundaries Initiative with DP World.
The players
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council serves as the global governing body for cricket, overseeing international tournaments and development programs.
Saidat Hamzat
Saidat Hamzat is a cricket player from Nigeria who was officially recorded as the one millionth participant in the criiio program.
Luna Olivera
Luna Olivera is an athlete from Argentina who progressed from the criiio program to selection for the national Women's U19 cricket team.
DP World
DP World is a multinational logistics company that partners with the ICC to distribute sports equipment through the Beyond Boundaries Initiative.
The details
The initiative has successfully scaled across diverse regions, including a notable national implementation in Tanzania where 3,542 secondary schools now prioritize the sport. Operations are supported by 65 ICC Associate Members and certified trainers across all 12 ICC Full Members.
Timeline
2021: The criiio programme launched.
2023: Luna Olivera discovered criiio in Argentina.
2025: Chisom Mary Okpe introduced to cricket in Nigeria.
2026: Luna Olivera selected for Argentina Women's U19 team.
November 1: Inaugural criiio Day global celebration.
Industry Dynamics
The expansion of the Criiio program reflects a broader strategic shift as the International Cricket Council leverages grassroots participation to grow the sport's global footprint. This institutional effort aligns with the upcoming inclusion of cricket in the LA28 Olympic Games.
The global availability of the free, adaptable curriculum allows communities in regions like Japan, Mongolia, and Chile to access organized training regardless of local cricket infrastructure. Participants can now engage with the sport through standardized programs supported by regional ICC-certified trainers.
The takeaway
The program demonstrates that removing barriers like equipment costs is highly effective for global sport adoption. Enthusiasts can look for local Criiio-certified training programs in their regions to participate in the sport at a developmental level.
What happens next
Criiio Day will be celebrated annually on November 1 to recognize the growth of the program. Cricket is also scheduled for inclusion in the Olympic Games at LA28.
Further reading
For more information on the development of the sport, see the Cultural section.
More information
View full information on criiio programme on the official organization portal.
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