Under Rishi Sunak’s pet project, the UK government is expected to invest around 2,500 pieces of new equipment in every school that is part of the programme.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds a cricket bat as he speaks with England cricket players during a visit to the Oval on April 5, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Rishi Sunak’s love for cricket is well-known. The Great Britain Prime Minister has been vocal in promoting the game and urging kids to take it as a hobby for both mental and physical development. One of the highlights of his tenure as the GB PM is playing cricket with the English national team in the Downing Street Garden. The sweet gesture was a big indicator of his seriousness in developing cricket in the country.

Sunak walked the talk by unveiling a £35 million investment in grassroots cricket facilities and spreading the net wide to provide access to the sport within schools.

The 43-year-old politician of Indian heritage expressed his desire to tap into the huge potential of the ‘magic of cricket’ as part of an ambitious project of getting one million more young people active by 2030.

Under Sunak’s pet project, the UK government is expected to invest around 2,500 pieces of new equipment in every school that is part of the programme. The target is to get 930,000 pupils playing cricket over the next five years.

“I love cricket, that’s no secret… I first experienced the magic of cricket watching Hampshire play at my local ground in Southampton as a child,” said Sunak.

“For young people watching their first match today, the draw of getting outside and enjoying the game is just as strong, particularly as we look forward to hosting the women’s and men’s T20 World Cups. There remains huge potential to grow the sport even further and open it up to everyone, from all backgrounds and in all parts of the country,” he said.

“That is why I am so proud we are making a major GBP 35 million investment in grassroots cricket today, to widen the participation in schools, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide world-class, all-year-round facilities for local communities,” he added.

Cricket domes to act as a home for budding players

The huge investment will be delivered over the next five years during which England and Wales will host the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. It includes a major capital drive under which 16 state-of-the-art all-weather cricket domes will be built outdoors within host cities across England.

The funding programme will give £14 million to three charities:

1. Chance to Shine – Accessible cricket to schools and local communities
2. Lord’s Taverners – Focus on access to cricket provision for children with special education needs and disabilities
3. ACE – Engaging young people of African/Caribbean heritage.

The announcement comes ahead of the start of the men’s County Championship season this week and at a time when England women are facing off New Zealand in an away white-ball series.

The latest development will also boost the ECB’s chances of making successful hosting bids for women’s and men’s Cricket World Cup between 2026 and 2030.

The programme falls under the Sports Strategy announced by the UK government last year. It was launched with a blueprint to improve the country’s health and fitness, providing government funding for grassroots sports facilities.