Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation signs MOU with JSW Sports

The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF), on October 19, 2021, announced that they have entered into an MOU with JSW Sports. The partnership will see JSW Group’s sports vertical come on board as a consultant, with the aim to grow and develop cricket in Saudi Arabia in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Through the relationship, JSW Sports will work closely with the SACF and its current key stakeholders, programmes, organization, and infrastructure, with a view to prepare a high-performance plan with a long-term vision of enhancing cricket in the Kingdom. JSW will also review key areas such as grass roots development, talent identification, cricket facilities, and events calendar.

JSW Sports is the sports arm of the JSW Group, a $13 billion conglomerate with a global presence. The group is involved across the sports of Football, Cricket, Kabaddi, and Athletics and lays emphasis on the development of their sporting talent through their privately funded and successful high-performance centre, Inspire Institute of Sport.

Director of JSW Sport Parth Jindal said, “We are very excited at this opportunity to partner with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation to help them grow the sport of cricket in the country. Saudi Arabia comprises eight million people from cricket playing nations who call the Kingdom their home, and we look at it as an advantageous demographic dividend. We’re very excited for the opportunity to create the blueprint to grow the sport that we love, in Saudi Arabia. At JSW Sports, we pay great attention to nurturing and growing talent and sport at the grassroots level and this is very much in line with Saudi Arabia's vision, which makes this association a perfect fit.”

The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) is the official governing body of the sport of cricket in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia was promoted to associate membership in 2016 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being an affiliate member since 2003. Saudi Arabia also officially became the 39th full member (non-test playing) of the Asian Cricket Council in 2016. It ranks 28^th in the global T20 world ranking.

Commenting on the partnership, Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation’s chairman HRH Prince Saud bin Mishal, said, “SACF is delighted to work closely with the vastly experienced and successful sports organization, JSW Sports, at this exciting phase in the transformation of the federation. We are proud to be associated with a leading international high-performance entity to benefit the growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia.”