DP World, a worldwide leader in smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, has introduced the new ‘Beyond Boundaries’ project in collaboration with the cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar and the International Cricket Council (ICC), with the goal of boosting the global expansion of cricket.
DP World will employ its end-to-end network and smart logistical skills to provide fifty repurposed shipping containers to grassroots cricket clubs worldwide, each outfitted with vital equipment.
The first container was introduced by the new DP World Global Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar at NSCI, Mumbai, prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be held in India from October 5 to November 19, 2023. The first DP World container will be deposited in the Chikhalikar Sports Club in Palghar, Maharashtra, containing 40 cricket kits, while another 210 kits will be distributed to young cricketers from academies like Achrekar Cricket Academy and Shivaji Park Gymkhana Academy, to mention a few.
Each container contains 250 customized kits, each consisting of a cricket bat, helmet, gloves, and pads. Each container serves as a pavilion, complete with an in-built scoreboard, sun protection, and seating.
On the development, DP World Global Ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar, said, “I am extremely happy to partner with DP World to go beyond boundaries and help make cricket possible globally. Like most young cricketers, I grew up playing for my local club I understand the importance of quality cricketing equipment and kits. Grassroots clubs are the bedrock of every nation’s cricket. It’s heartening to see DP World’s commitment to nurturing young cricketing talent not just in India, but across the world.
“These cricket containers will provide budding cricketers a place to rest and pad up. More importantly, this can be a great step towards ensuring a safe space for girls, as the containers can be used as changing rooms. I am happy to be a part of this initiative and look forward to witnessing its impact in supporting the next generation of cricketers across India and beyond.”
Tendulkar’s history served as inspiration for the first 10 containers, the first of which was created by a local artist Sadhna Prasad and pays respect to the Master Blaster himself.
DP World will continue to use its linked global network spanning 75 nations and six continents over the next five years to distribute the other 49 containers at key sites throughout the world, such as another two during this year’s tournament, with more information to come.
Kevin D’Souza, Senior Vice President – Business Development – Middle East, North Africa and India Subcontinent, DP World, said, “We are truly proud to welcome Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar to the DP World family. Sachin represents a billion dreams and has played an inspiring role in taking cricket beyond boundaries. A role model to youngsters, he epitomises hard work, determination, and dedication to perfection. These are attributes that resonate with every member of DP World as we strive to make trade flow beyond boundaries for our customers and stakeholders. We are confident that our partnership with Sachin will serve to make cricket possible for even more people across the world.
“As the global leading provider of smart logistics solutions, we seek to change what’s possible for everyone, and we are confident that this new initiative, will serve to make cricket possible for the youth at multiple grounds in the country and across the world.”
The ‘Beyond Boundaries’ program will be promoted on the ICC broadcast during the event, with a custom graphic indicating how ten kits will be provided for every 100 runs scored in each match. All kit donations will be made through the containers that will be revealed in 2023.
At the event, SportsMint Media had the honour of interacting with Mr Kevin D’Souza, we asked him, How DP World’s collaboration with the ICC for this World Cup is different from its other worldwide sports partnerships.
“I think what all our sports partnerships allow us to do is to take the sport beyond its limits and boundaries and that’s the theme of what we are doing with cricket today. We’re taking this beyond its boundaries. We’ve got 50 such containers, three of them will be in India (Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bangalore) and the rest we will distribute to all other parts of the world. Each of these will contain 250 kits, which will be given to these grassroots players and these are like mini pavilions as well. So it will be used by youngsters as a mini pavilion instead of the tents or standing out waiting and sitting on the grass and I think it will give a large flip to spawn.
“We are a global organization, and we are in 75 countries across the globe. Cricket is also played worldwide and I think this partnership is really going to take cricket further, to change what is possible, and to go beyond boundaries.”