Atlanta, GA, July 11, 2026: The American Cricket Council (ACC) has announced a nationwide initiative to expand cricket at the school and collegiate levels in the United States, with Atlanta’s Param Veers Sports Complex set to serve as the hub for national competitions, player development, and coach education.
Headquartered in New Jersey with administrative offices at TV Asia in North Brunswick, the ACC said its new program will include the Cricket Hall of Fame (ChoF) Inter-School Championship, the Intercollegiate Super Cup, and a Super League tournament. The initiative also envisions Param Veers Sports Complex as the year-round home of ACC events and the USA Center for Excellence for player and coach development.
The Intercollegiate Super Cup is scheduled to debut in 2027 with at least 12 college teams competing, with the capacity to expand to 24 or more. To encourage wider participation, the ACC said schools unable to field full teams individually will be permitted to form combined regional teams.
A key component of the initiative is a scholarship program for college cricketers. According to the ACC, scholarships will initially be available to NCAA-eligible student-athletes enrolled at Division I, II, and III institutions in the United States and Canada. Selection will be based on academic performance and active participation in college cricket, with preference given to undergraduate students under age 25, although eligible graduate students may also be considered.
The program is supported by several prominent figures in American cricket. Dr. H.R. Shah, CEO and Chairman of TV Asia and a recipient of India’s Padma Shri award, joins Michael Chambers, Executive Director and Founder of the Cricket Hall of Fame, in backing the initiative.
Leadership responsibilities will be shared by Jayesh Patel, owner of Param Veers Sports Complex and a Cricket Hall of Fame inductee, and Jatin Patel, Director of the Cricket Hall of Fame and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jatin Patel will also oversee coaching education and school and college cricket programs.
Ashok P. Patel, a Cricket Hall of Fame inductee and founder-president of the USA Cricket Academy, has also pledged support for cricket education in schools and advanced coach training.
The ACC plans to introduce three membership categories—student-athletes, coaches and academies, and umpires. Coaches will serve as local coordinators and will have opportunities for compensation based on program responsibilities. An education advisory group will oversee academic support and scholarship administration.
According to the ACC, administration and operational teams will be assembled over the coming months, with staffing expected to include recent graduates from U.S. colleges and universities who have competitive cricket experience at national, regional, or representative levels.
The organization said it intends to operate independently of existing governing bodies, managing its own leagues, scholarships, and educational programs through its partner organizations.
Funding for the initiative is expected to come primarily from sponsorships and commercial partnerships. In addition to hosting national competitions, Param Veers Sports Complex will serve as the operational center for coaching education and player development.
The ACC said the long-term goal is to create a structured pathway for young cricketers in North America by combining competitive tournaments, coaching programs, and scholarship opportunities that promote both athletic and academic achievement.
