DP World’s Beyond Boundaries Initiative, aimed at empowering communities through improved access to cricket, arrived in North America for the first time yesterday. The smart logistics provider has now used its global network to deliver 2,000 kits to grassroots organisations across four countries on three continents via eight repurposed shipping containers.

At today’s launch event, held at the ICC Fan Park at North Oculus Plaza in lower Manhattan, DP World’s Global Ambassador and Indian cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar, distributed kits to beneficiaries from the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) and the Commonwealth Cricket League, identified by the ICC as key groups promoting the game in New York. Hosted by his former international teammate Ravi Shastri, Tendulkar was joined by DP World Chief Communications Officer, Daniel van Otterdijk to discuss the importance of supporting the game’s grassroots.

Sachin Tendulkar said, “Cricket’s growing patronage across the globe is exciting. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA will add a further impetus to the adoption and following in this part of the world. DP World’s Beyond Boundaries Initiative in New York, is perfectly timed in augmenting the ‘cricketing grassroots’ infrastructure and will help leave a lasting impact. Since we launched the initiative together in October last year, 2000 kits have been delivered across three continents, made possible by DP World’s network.”

Daniel van Otterdijk said, “We are delighted to bring our Beyond Boundaries Initiative to North America for the first time. With the United States co-hosting their first ICC World Cup, it felt like the perfect moment to work with our partners at the ICC to help build foundations at the grassroots level to help the game flourish for years to come. From delivering the pitches at the purpose-built © Copyright – DP World 2024 Nassau County ground, to providing this support for the Public Schools Athletic League and Commonwealth Cricket League, our smart solutions have made it possible to provide support for cricket in America at every level.”

This Men’s T20 World Cup marks the first ICC World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States and, as Premier Partner of the ICC, DP World has brought its initiative to the region to contribute to the legacy of the tournament. DP World will also be reviving its kits-for-runs pledge at the T20 World Cup. For every 100 runs scored by a team in each match, DP World will pledge to deliver 10 cricket kits to grassroots cricket via the Beyond Boundaries Initiative. This scheme will be showcased through in-stadia graphics and amplified across broadcast.

Nick Pinder, ICC Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships said, “The continued growth of the game was a key motivator for the ICC in bringing this Men’s T20 World Cup to the United States, and to have the support of DP World as a Premier Partner to ensure a continued legacy is very pleasing. The work DP World have done in supporting the grassroots game across the world is fantastic, with the Beyond Boundaries Initiative now having touched communities in the USA, South Africa, India and the UAE. We look forward to continuing to work closely with DP World on making our game more accessible to all.”

This latest launch, which follows similar roll-out in India, South Africa and Dubai, comes on the eve of the group stage match between India and Pakistan at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Sunday’s match will be played on pitches delivered by DP World, who moved the turf grown in collaboration between The LandTek Group and Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions over 1,200 miles from Florida.

As with all the initiative’s containers to date, a local artist was commissioned to create a mural to adorn one side. New Yorker Andre Trenier captured the city’s iconic skyline in his design, whilst also paying tribute to Tendulkar.