UK PM Rishi Sunak Announces Major Package Ahead Of T20 World Cup, Expresses Love For Cricket

A £35 million ($44.35 million) package was announced on Friday by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with the primary focus on the construction of 16 all-weather domes in cities scheduled to host T20 World Cup matches in 2026 and 2030.

The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup will be hosted by England and Wales, while the 2030 men's edition will be hosted by England, Scotland, and Ireland. Rishi Sunak emphasized that the domes will facilitate year-round participation in cricket at the grassroots level.

"It's no secret that I love cricket. Therefore, I am pleased that today we can support even more young people to get into the game. Over 900,000 young people will be assisted in playing cricket with our £35 million investment in grassroots cricket," Rishi Sunak stated on X (formerly Twitter) when announcing the package.

I love cricket, that’s no secret.

So I’m pleased that today we can support even more young people to get into the game.

We’re investing £35 million in grassroots cricket to help over 900,000 young people into playing cricket. pic.twitter.com/mN1rauyOYI

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 5, 2024

British PM Rishi Sunak has unveiled a multi-million-pound boost for grassroots cricket, with key highlights including:

• A £35 million package for constructing 16 new cricket domes in cities hosting the Women's T20 World Cup in 2026 and Men's T20 World Cup in 2030.
• Extension of the England and Wales Cricket Board's schools programme to engage over 900,000 young people in cricket over the next five years, including 80,000 children with special educational needs.
• Allocation of £14 million towards accessible cricket, benefitting children with special education needs and disabilities, as well as young people of African and Caribbean heritage.
• This initiative is part of the government's broader investment in grassroots sports and its ambition to increase youth participation in physical activities by 1 million by 2030.

Further, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reminisced about his childhood cricket experiences, highlighting the enduring appeal of the sport, especially as the nation gears up to host the Women's and Men's T20 World Cups. Sunak emphasized the untapped potential to expand cricket across diverse backgrounds and regions, building on initiatives like ACE and Chance to Shine.

The government's significant £35 million investment in grassroots cricket aims to boost school participation, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance year-round facilities for local communities. This move was welcomed by ECB Chair Richard Thompson, who stressed the importance of making cricket accessible in state schools and diverse communities, marking a pivotal moment for the sport's expansion.

Cricket's diversity and widespread popularity were emphasized, with upcoming events like the Women's and Men's T20 World Cups and cricket's return to the Olympics driving efforts to engage more young people than ever before. England cricketer James Anderson commended the government's support for state school students, acknowledging the critical role of programs like Chance to Shine and the ACE Programme in fostering youth participation in cricket across England and Wales.