Bhutan Cricket Wins Asia Regional ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year Award

Bhutan Cricket Wins Asia Regional ICC Female Cricket Initiative
of the Year Award – ICC Development Awards 2025

Reported and compiled by Victor Gurung, Media and Technical Lead Consultant, Bhutan Olympic Committee

The Bhutan Cricket Council Board (BCCB) has proudly been named the Asia Regional Winner in the ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year category under the ICC Development Awards 2025, officially announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on 4 June 2025.

This recognition underscores Bhutan Cricket’s growing influence in global development cricket and its unwavering dedication to increasing women’s participation in the sport. Bhutan now joins four other regional champions from around the world to compete for the prestigious global title, which will be announced during the ICC Annual Conference next month in Singapore.

Regional Winners – ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year:

Africa: Cricket Sierra Leone
Americas: Brazilian Cricket Association
Asia: Bhutan Cricket Council Board
East Asia-Pacific: Vanuatu Cricket Association
Europe: Cricket España

Bhutan’s recognition comes from among 96 ICC Associate Member countries. The award celebrates outstanding efforts in female cricket development, and Bhutan Cricket stood out for its inclusive grassroots programs, nationwide coaching camps, and the establishment of structured women’s cricket leagues.

Since launching the Women’s T20 League in 2021, Bhutan has witnessed a remarkable rise in female cricket engagement—despite infrastructural challenges such as cement pitches and limited resources. The determination of young women across the country has created a powerful movement in shaping the future of Bhutanese cricket.

The ICC commended Bhutan Cricket for:

Delivering accessible cricket programs for girls in rural regions
Conducting women-led coaching and leadership workshops
Creating safe and empowering environments for female athletes

This is not Bhutan Cricket’s first appearance in the ICC Development Awards. Previous accolades include the Asia Regional Award for Cricket for Social Good (2020) and the Global Winner for Cricket for Change (2018).

Mr. Damber S. Gurung, CEO of Bhutan Cricket, spoke with BOC Media and shared:

“It is both a proud and humbling moment to be recognised by the ICC at the regional level. At Bhutan Cricket, we believe that true progress lies in inclusivity. Our mission has always been to create a pathway that begins at the grassroots—whether through school-based tennis ball activities, intra-school competitions, or structured coaching programs—and leads all the way to the national team.

This recognition validates the hard work put in by every coach, volunteer, partner, and player who believes in the transformative power of sport. It also motivates us to push further—to reach the unreached, to inspire the next generation of female cricketers, and to make cricket a game for all in Bhutan.

We thank the ICC for this honour, and we remain committed to creating lasting change, one pitch, one player, and one community at a time.”

He added heartfelt thanks to the coaches, volunteers, players, and supporters who are driving the change and reaffirmed BCCB’s commitment to sustained development.

The President and CEO of Bhutan Cricket will represent the country at the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore, where all regional winners will compete for the global award. The global winners will be revealed during the official event alongside the ICC Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Bhutan Olympic Committee, along with the entire sporting fraternity, congratulates Bhutan Cricket on this landmark recognition and stands in solidarity to support the sport’s continued growth. This achievement not only elevates cricket but also strengthens Bhutan’s presence on the international sporting stage.

For more information, visit: ICC Development Awards 2024 – Global Nominees Announced