Jay Shah Honored with Outstanding Contribution in Sports Award
Recognition at Indian Business Leader Awards
On Saturday, Jay Shah, the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), was presented with the 'Outstanding Contribution in Sports Award' by Union Minister Piyush Goyal during the Indian Business Leader Awards held in Mumbai.
Achievements During Tenure at BCCI
Shah served as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from October 2019 until December 2024. Under his leadership, India celebrated significant achievements, including winning two U-19 Men's World Cups and two U-19 Women's World Cups. The senior teams also excelled, clinching the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 title and finishing as runners-up in both the ICC World Test Championships and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.
Congratulations from ICC and BCCI
Following the award ceremony, both the ICC and BCCI expressed their congratulations to Shah. The BCCI acknowledged his remarkable contributions, stating, "Honouring incredible contribution. Congratulations to former BCCI Secretary and ICC Chairman Mr. @JayShah on being conferred with the Outstanding Contribution to Sports Award at the @CNBCTV18News Indian Business Leader Awards. Mr. Shah dedicates his award to the athletes who toil hard on the field every day." The ICC also celebrated his achievement, tweeting, "Congratulations to our chairman @jayshah on winning this prestigious award following a hugely successful #t20worldCup."
Empowering Women's Cricket
During his time at BCCI, Shah implemented significant reforms, including advocating for pay equality and enhancing professional leagues for women cricketers. His initiatives have led to increased grassroots investment and visibility for women's cricket in India. The introduction of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023 has transformed the landscape of Indian women's cricket, creating a vibrant ecosystem inspired by the Indian Premier League (IPL) that aims to uplift women cricketers and provide them with professional opportunities.