Andrew Russell, ILT20 Development Tournament Director, discusses how DP World ILT20 initiatives are creating a clear pathway for young cricketers in the UAE to reach the international stage

Dubai, January 16, 2025: Andrew Russell, the ILT20 Development Tournament Director, discussed the significant development impact of the DP World ILT20, aimed at nurturing young cricket talent and raising the profile of the sport in the UAE. From providing children with the rare opportunity to play softball cricket in iconic stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to the growth of development programmes, Russell highlighted the success and future potential of cricket in the region.

One of the several initiatives deployed by the DP World ILT20 Season 3 to create a comprehensive and engaging experience for all stakeholders is a daily pre-match activity that offers children a rare opportunity to play softball cricket in the iconic cricket stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi. Dhabi and Sharjah.

Commenting on the initiative, Andrew Russell ILT20 Development Tournament Director said: Last year around 2,500 children played cricket in the stadiums during Season 2, giving them the opportunity to share the same grounds as some of the best players in the world. This year we're building on that by continuing with the mini-games format. The difference now is that we have a long waiting list of children who would like to participate. Many of them now have their own favorite teams to support, which is fantastic to see as it shows a growing awareness of the tournament.

Following the introduction of the DP World ILT20 in 2023, a series of development initiatives have blossomed, such as the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament and the DP World ILT20 Schools Cup, while several franchises have taken their own measures and partnered with various schools and academies.

Highlighting the value of these programs, Russell added: Over the past two years we have seen significant results from our development programs, with 60-70% of our current national team emerging from this journey. These players have gained experience through school tournaments, development cups and other relevant competitions, demonstrating the program's success in nurturing talent.

Russell further added that the DP World ILT20 is changing the perception of cricket and related opportunities in the region. This tournament provides an important platform for shaping the mentality of young players. In the past we have seen juniors leave our shores at 15 or 16, feeling that opportunities to play at international level were limited. However, in recent years there has been a noticeable shift, with more players turning to domestic cricket and staying here. They now see a clear path and an opportunity to reach the big stage that tournaments like these provide.

Regarding the growth of cricket in the region, Russell said: The majority of players tend to come from Dubai, largely due to the opportunities available and the population distribution. However, there has been significant growth in Sharjah, and Ajman now has the largest number of lawns in the country. Abu Dhabi has also made notable progress, with the number of strong academies there increasing from three or four to nine in the past three years. Cricket is clearly growing across the country.

On the UAE's demographics being ideal for cricket, he said: A major advantage is the South Asian population, which already provides a huge base of cricketers. Although cricket is more technical and requires a lot of groundwork in terms of matches and facilities, the love for the sport does not need to be manufactured here as it is already there. We can build on a strong foundation, and I think this is in large part due to the demographics of the population.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 runs from January 11 to February 9, 2025.