Los Angeles Knight Riders And CricMax Cricket Development Partnership Across America

Los Angeles Knight Riders And CricMax Cricket Development Partnership Across America

New York / Los Angeles [US], April 27: Knight Riders Sports, owners of cricket franchises across four continents and one of the sport’s most recognised global brands, has partnered with CricMax Connect as the Official Cricket Development Partner of the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR). The partnership, announced today by LAKR and CricMax Connect, will establish a national network of Knight Riders Cricket Academies to develop youth cricket across the United States.

While over $300 million has been invested in professional cricket infrastructure in the United States through Major League Cricket (MLC), it is equally important to build programs that create a feeder system for various leagues and encourage youngsters to take up the sport.

As the American audience grows rapidly for Cricket, among the 5.4 million-strong South Asian diaspora and beyond, this partnership is designed to bridge that gap by combining Knight Riders Sports’ globally proven franchise model with CricMax Connect’s decade-long track record in community cricket development, its established network of academies and township partnerships, and its exclusive role as the cricket partner of the PlayLA Olympic youth initiative.

This partnership further strengthens CricMax Connect’s position as a key growth engine for cricket in the United States ahead of the sport’s return to the Olympic stage at LA28.

As part of their long-term vision for cricket in the United States, the Los Angeles Knight Riders have unveiled the Knight Riders Cricket Grounds at Fairplex in Pomona, Los Angeles County, CA, as their official home venue for the 2026 season.

The venue is set to host key major cricket matches this season, marking an important step in establishing a dedicated cricketing base in Southern California. Beyond matchdays, this facility reflects the Knight Riders’ continued investment in building Los Angeles into a leading cricket destination in the United States while also supporting both professional competition and the growth of cricket at a grassroots level.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will jointly build Knight Riders Cricket Academies nationwide, supported by professional coaching programs, masterclass clinics, and talent exhibition pathways that provide young cricketers with direct exposure to best practices in the sport. CricMax Connect’s proprietary technology platform, Quixera, will power talent identification and scouting across the network.

Mr. Venky Mysore, CEO, Knight Riders Sports, said: “This partnership with CricMax Connect is a strategic step towards building a strong grassroots foundation for cricket in the United States. By combining our global ecosystem with their community-led expertise, we are creating a clear pathway from youth development to the professional game. As the sport grows in the United States, our focus is on nurturing talent, strengthening the ecosystem, and ensuring long-term, sustainable growth for cricket in America.”

“We’ve spent over a decade building cricket from the ground up in American communities, coaching youth, partnering with townships, and earning our place as the exclusive cricket partner of PlayLA and the LA28 Olympics,” said Vinay Bhimjani, CEO of CricMax Connect and former CEO of USA Cricket. “The partnership with Knight Riders’ and its global platform will enable us to bring our scouting expertise and technology infrastructure together with their franchise reach to deliver what American cricket has been missing: a complete ecosystem that develops talent at the grassroots and connects it to the professional game.”

About the Knight Riders

The Knight Riders brand is a global brand in International Cricket, with nine trophies to its name and four professional franchises under its wings – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the TATA IPL, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Caribbean Premier League, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in UAE’s International League T20 and Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) in USA’s Major League Cricket, making it one of the most versatile brands in T20 cricket globally.

KKR has appeared in four TATA IPL finals, winning the championship three times (2012, 2014, 2024). They finished runners-up in the 2021 season, staging one of the most remarkable comebacks in the tournament’s history. TKR’s Men’s Team has won the CPL championship 5 times in 11 years since the Knight Riders took over the franchise. They are the most successful team in the Caribbean and hold the unique distinction of having won the trophy in 2020 without losing a single game in the tournament. TKR Women, the Knight Riders’ first-ever Women’s Team, were champions of the inaugural WCPL in 2022.

For many years now, the Knight Riders Academy has been actively scouting talented cricketers from across India and around the world. The sole objective of the Academy is to identify and help cricketers make an overall round-the-year improvement in their cricketing skills and fitness.

App: https://www.kkr.in/knight-club-app

Website: https://www.lakriders.us/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lakriders/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LAKRIDERS/

X: https://x.com/LA_KnightRiders

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@KRCricketOfficial

For more information on Knight Riders, please reach out to Himanish@kkr.in

About CricMax Connect

CricMax Connect is America’s community cricket infrastructure platform, powering youth development through branded academies, coaching technology (Quixera), premium equipment, and coach certification programs. Led by former USA Cricket CEO Vinay Bhimjani alongside BCCI-veteran coaching leadership, CricMax Connect is the exclusive commercial cricket partner of the PlayLA initiative ahead of the LA28 Olympics.

World Leadership Forum Hosts International Conclave 2025 in London, Strengthening India-UK Relations Through Leadership, Culture & Collaboration

World Leadership Forum Hosts International Conclave 2025 in London, Strengthening India-UK Relations Through Leadership, Culture & Collaboration

London [UK], November 26: The World Leadership Forum successfully delivered a landmark international programme from 19th to 23rd November 2025, culminating in the prestigious International Conclave 2025 held at the iconic UK Parliament. The multi-day series brought together influential delegates, policymakers, innovators, and cultural leaders from India, the UK, and around the globe to advance dialogue on leadership, sustainability, global cooperation, and the vision of Viksit Bharat.

“Hosting this Conclave in the heart of the UK’s democracy underscores the critical importance of the India-UK partnership in shaping a prosperous, sustainable global future,” said Mr. Nachiket Joshi (Founder, World Leadership Forum), whose vision and commitment made the initiative possible. “This initiative connects global leadership networks to support the mission of Viksit Bharat and cultivate meaningful, lasting partnerships.”

The programme opened with a spiritual and cultural gathering at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, where delegates participated in an uplifting aarti ceremony followed by a warm prasad that fostered unity and cross-cultural goodwill. The entire programme was marked by the exceptional leadership of Mr. Nachiket Joshi (Founder, World Leadership Forum) and the impeccable coordination of Khushboo Shah (Organiser & Professional from UK), whose combined vision, dedication, and execution ensured the success and prestige of the international gathering.

The Conclave was supported by the partnership of the Wey Foundation, Mumbai, represented by Shirin Aggarwal, and Hirdesh Gupta from IDUK. Their involvement contributed to the collaborative efforts that helped ensure the event’s smooth execution and its broader aim of encouraging meaningful India-UK engagement.

The House of Commons session, hosted by MP Joy Morrissey (MP for Beaconsfield), focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, education, healthcare, investment, and sustainable development. Dignitaries present included MP Jack Rankin (Member of Parliament, Windsor), former MP Virendra Sharma (Former Member of Parliament, UK), Srimathi Shivashankar (Vice President, HCL), Suhel Seth (Author, Columnist & Brand Strategist), Vijay Goel (Founder, India European Business Forum), Dr. Bharat Pankhania (Mayor of Bath), Cllr Anjana Patel (Mayor of Harrow), Khushboo Shah (Organiser), Swami Chakrapani Maharaj (National President, Hindu Mahasabha), Sandeep Goenka (Founder, C.P. Goenka International School), Hirdesh Gupta (Founder, IDUK), Shirin Aggarwal (Founder, Wey Foundation Mumbai), Shipra Pathak (Water Woman of India), and Rupal Dalal (Managing Director, JD Fashion Institute, India).

The parliamentary engagements continued at the House of Lords, where Lord Sahota (Life Peer) hosted an elegant afternoon reception attended by esteemed leaders including Lord Rami Ranger (Life Peer & Business Leader), who were recognised for their contributions to leadership and India-UK collaboration.

Additional influential delegates included, Abhey Bansal (Chairperson, AB Group), Shyna Sunsara (Model, Actor & Co-Producer at AB Bansal productions), Yogita Bhayana (Social Activist & NGO Founder), Neha Singh (Government of Maharashtra Representative), Lokesh Kumar (BJP Leader, Andhra Pradesh), Vinita Gupta (Technology Entrepreneur, Silicon Valley), Sanjay Gupta (Former President, The Cost Accountants of India), Chinu Kwatra (Founder, Khushiyaan Foundation), Hussain Ahmedali Nalwala (Philanthropist, Nalwala Foundation), Tarun Ghulati (Businessman & Investment Banker), Sanjay Thakkar (Sr. Advisor & Investor), Loveena Tandon (Journalist, Foreign correspondent, Aaj Tak & India Today) and Rabih El Fadel (CEO, Phyla Earth).

Beyond Westminster, the delegation engaged in meaningful community and leadership interactions. An impactful engagement was held in the Mayor’s Parlour in Harrow, led by Cllr Anjana Patel (Mayor of Harrow), where discussions centred on Indo-UK community partnerships and collaborative social initiatives. The programme also celebrated India’s creative and cultural strength at India Fashion Week London, where delegates attended a vibrant fashion show showcasing Indian craftsmanship and global design influence.

The series concluded in the historic city of Bath, where the delegation was warmly hosted by Cllr Dr. Bharat Pankhania (Mayor of Bath). The visit deepened cultural understanding and explored collaboration in governance, heritage preservation, and community development.

Reflecting on the programme’s success, Khushboo Shah shared:

“It has been an honour to bring together such an extraordinary group of leaders across cultural spaces, community platforms, and the UK Parliament. This series stands as a testament to what shared purpose, collaboration, and global friendship can achieve. I am deeply grateful to every dignitary who contributed to meaningful dialogue that bridges nations and inspires future progress.”

The International Conclave 2025 reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to bringing forward-thinking leaders together to build a more collaborative, sustainable, and progressive global future. Discussions underscored India’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047, highlighting innovation, inclusive growth, strong governance, and international partnerships.

About The World Leadership Forum

The World Leadership Forum is a global platform dedicated to fostering cross-border cooperation, sustainable development, and leadership excellence. Through high-impact convenings, the Forum facilitates meaningful discussions on diplomacy, socio-economic progress, and ethical leadership to drive positive global change.