After overseeing significant events, including hosting the 2023 ODI World Cup and launching the Women’s Premier League, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been honoured with the Sports Business Leader of the Year Award 2023.
The BCCI announced the news on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting that this recognition is a first for any leader in Indian sports administration. The post commended Shah's impactful leadership, noting his contributions to elevating the ICC Men’s World Cup, advancing inclusivity with strides in pay parity, creating the Women’s Premier League, advocating for Cricket's inclusion in the Olympics, and initiating groundbreaking changes in the game.
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“CONGRATULATIONS to BCCI Honorary Secretary @JayShah on being awarded the Sports Business Leader of the Year Award at the @FollowCII Sports Business Awards 2023. A first for any leader in Indian Sports administration, this recognition is truly deserved!” the post read.
“His (Shah’s) leadership has left an indelible mark on Cricket worldwide— spearheading the ICC Men’s World Cup to new heights, championing inclusivity with significant strides in pay parity and the creation of the Women’s Premier League, steering the inclusion of Cricket at the Olympics, and many more groundbreaking initiatives that have changed the game forever!” it added.
Apart from his role with the BCCI, Shah also serves as the president of the Asian Cricket Council, overseeing the Asia Cup leading up to the World Cup. Before joining the BCCI, he served as the joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA).
Elected as the BCCI secretary in 2019 and becoming ACC president this year, Shah played a crucial role in the success of the recent ODI World Cup. The tournament set records with a historic attendance of 1.25 million and over 518 million viewers, ultimately won by Australia, claiming their sixth title.
Shah's leadership extended beyond successful events; he navigated the BCCI through the challenging financial crisis presented by COVID-19. The IPL was hosted in secure bio-bubbles in the UAE under his direction. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in introducing two new teams and securing new broadcasting rights for both the BCCI and the IPL.
Under Shah's guidance, the IPL has become one of the most-watched leagues globally, surpassing the English Premier League and the NBA in viewership. His multifaceted contributions to Indian cricket have earned him the Sports Business Leader of the Year Award, a testament to his transformative impact on the sport.
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