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ILT20, Kuwait Cricket Board team up to advance cricket ecosystem

ILT20, Kuwait Cricket Board team up to advance cricket ecosystem

Time of India3 days ago

International League T20 and Kuwait Cricket Board enter strategic partnership (ILT20 Photo)
The International League T20 (ILT20) has partnered with the Kuwait Cricket Board to promote cricket development in Kuwait. The collaboration includes organising cricket matches in Kuwait to identify and nurture talented players.
The partnership agreement was signed at the Dubai International Stadium. The agreement includes hosting an annual domestic tournament similar to the ILT20 UAE Development Tournament in Kuwait, offering Kuwait players opportunities to join ILT20 franchises.
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The league plans to host ILT2o matches in Kuwait in the future.
"We are very proud to announce our collaboration with Kuwait Cricket Board as they join our league [ILT20].
It is a great honour for us, and we look forward to many more such collaborations in the future. Kuwait is very important to us; it is a great country and keen on promoting and further developing cricket," said Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman ILT20 and Vice-Chairman Emirates Cricket Board.
"Kuwait and the rest of the Gulf countries are all one, the [cricket playing] communities are residing throughout the region and our aim with the ILT20 is to grow and develop the game in the entire region.
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Our endeavour is to provide maximum opportunities to the players and for the fans to join us at this great tournament which we are trying to grow more and more."
"I am honoured to formalise this agreement between Kuwait Cricket and the Emirates Cricket Board to further promote the ILT20 — not only in our two nations but across the entire region. This partnership is a key pillar of the league's broader vision for the growth and globalisation of cricket.
We firmly believe that cricket can serve as a powerful bridge between our countries, and we look forward to this collaboration bringing meaningful benefits to our players, coaches, and officials alike.
It is also a matter of great pride that Kuwait becomes the first country in the world to be officially recognized as a strategic partner of the ILT20. Cricket continues to grow in popularity in the State of Kuwait, with Kuwait Cricket making significant strides both on and off the field," said Haider Farman, president of Kuwait Cricket.
"This landmark collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board and the ILT20 will play a critical role in helping us realize our long-term vision — to involve more Kuwaiti nationals in our cricketing ecosystem, especially as players and officials. With the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Qatar in 2030 and Saudi Arabia in 2034, the timing couldn't be better. ILT20 can be a transformative force in inspiring the next generation of local talent to embrace the sport across the GCC like never before.
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ILT20 CEO David White added, "I would like to congratulate Kuwait Cricket on their vision and foresight that has led to this exciting alliance. The ILT2o's long term vision is to grow the game not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region. This partnership provides a great opportunity for Kuwait Cricket and their young players to develop further. We have seen it in the ILT20 how the young UAE players have benefited enormously through this incredible platform under some world-class coaching.
The UAE team recently won a T20I series against Bangladesh which is indeed a testament to the success of the ILT20 as a lot of the UAE team members had received great exposure at the league in recent years, surely Kuwait and other countries in the region are going to benefit as well."
"This momentous collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board — a true leader in regional cricket development and the driving force behind the world-class ILT20 — marks a historic milestone for Kuwait Cricket.
It opens the door to a long-awaited dream: enabling our Kuwait players to pursue full-time professional cricket careers on the international franchise stage. Just as importantly, it offers a powerful platform for corporate houses in Kuwait to connect with a vibrant, cricket-loving expatriate community of over two million people, within a total population of five million.
This initiative provides a unique opportunity for Kuwaiti brands to expand their footprint regionally, starting with the UAE," added Sajid Ashraf, Director General Kuwait Cricket.
"We are deeply passionate about our Kuwaiti businesses becoming an integral part of both KCC and the ILT20. These well-established corporations in Kuwait have so much to offer in supporting the continued growth of cricket across the region, and their involvement will only strengthen the sport's ecosystem. This is undoubtedly a win-win for all stakeholders — players, sponsors, partners, fans, and the broader cricket community.
We are excited about the ILT20 Development Tournament and eagerly await the first ball being delivered right here in the State of Kuwait."
The International League T20 Season 4 will commence on December 2, UAE National Day. The tournament will feature six teams competing in 34 matches, concluding with the final on January 4, 2026.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here

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