CWI aims to expand cricket in Americas via FECA initiative

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a major step towards the future of cricket across the Western Hemisphere. With the launch of La Federación de Críquet de las Américas (FECA), CWI looks forward to expanding the game into North, Central, and South America.

The formation of FECA comes after CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow’s recent visit to Lima, Peru. Positioned as a collaborative platform, FECA will coordinate cricket development across the Americas from Brazil and Mexico to Colombia and Argentina. As the only ICC Full Member in the region, CWI will act as the parental body.

“This marks a pivotal step in advancing cricket across the Americas. Cricket West Indies embraces its responsibility not only to the Caribbean but to the wider region. We recognise the importance of structure, collaboration, and a unified vision to unlock the immense potential that exists throughout the Americas,” Shallow said in a statement.

Our efforts to expand cricket must redound positively: CWI CEO

CWI’s initiative has taken place after cricket’s popularity has been increasing in the Americas. Brazil already consists of 72,000 registered players, a majority of them women under professional contracts. CWI CEO Chris Dehring emphasized the importance of this opportunity.

“Our efforts to expand cricket must redound positively to each country under our remit. This growth will not only uplift national programmes but will also strengthen West Indies cricket by broadening our base, increasing opportunities, and deepening our regional relevance. With the emergence and development of cricketing hubs in areas such as Brazil, with 72,000 registered players – most of them women under professional contracts – along with Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, this region is ripe for meaningful engagement,” he said.

With developmental momentum in countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, FECA attempts to bring all these upcoming cricket nations together under one umbrella. One of FECA’s main priorities is youth development. Currently, two youth teams from the United States are participating in CWI’s Rising Stars U19 tournament in St. Kitts.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe called these initiatives mutually beneficial and pointed out how tournaments bring job opportunities. Notably, four Caribbean national teams will travel to Lima this November to compete in the Bolivarian Games.