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FIA partners with Cricmax Connect ahead of India Day Parade
Cricmax Connect plans to run 115 cricket camps across the country, teaching fundamentals to 10,000 children in eight weeks.
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 24, Jul 2025
- 02:35 EDT
- 60
FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya said that the initiative supports the association's mission of cultural integration / FIA
The Federation of Indian Associations of NY-NJ-CT-NE (FIA) has announced a formal partnership with Cricmax Connect ahead of the 43rd India Day Parade, set to take place on August 17 in New York. The collaboration, unveiled at a recent gathering, aims to mark India’s Independence Day by spotlighting cricket’s growing footprint in the U.S., especially as the sport prepares for its return to the Olympic stage in 2028.
Vinay A. Bhimjiani, founder and CEO of Cricmax Connect and former CEO of USA Cricket, called the partnership “a crucial launchpad” for the company’s goal of building cricket’s grassroots presence across the country.
“Cricket has officially been included in the Olympic program as of March 28, 2025,” Bhimjiani said, noting how the sport has grown from informal park games to a recognized competition in the U.S. over the last two decades.
He pointed to the 2024 T20 World Cup, which included a major India-Pakistan match on U.S. soil, as a turning point. He also cited growing investment in Major League Cricket from firms like Microsoft and IPL franchises including Mumbai Indians, KKR, and CSK.
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Cricmax Connect now plans to run 115 cricket camps across the country, teaching fundamentals to 10,000 children in eight weeks.
“We started this journey just 75 days ago,” Bhimjiani said. “Cricmax Connect will serve as the official partner with LA, focusing on promoting cricket through community engagement.”
COO Arpit Shah, who leads sports tech operations at Cricmax Connect, emphasized the rapid pace of the rollout. “Our team has been working late into the night and early mornings to meet project demands,” he said. “This is just the beginning for our commitment to the Cricket Olympic program.”
He added that the company aims to do in under 10 years what it took soccer 30 years to achieve in the U.S.—build a local fan base and player pipeline.
FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya said the initiative supports the association’s broader mission of cultural integration. “The Cricmax Connect initiative aims to strengthen community ties by showcasing cricket as a cultural cornerstone,” he said.
FIA president Saurin Parikh said this year’s parade will be “the biggest celebration of India’s independence in the world outside India.” Events include a cultural showcase with over 250 youth performers and the return of the popular Golgappa contest. The parade will also feature a tricolor hoisting at Times Square and lighting of the Empire State Building on August 15.
With over 60 percent booth capacity filled and hundreds expected at Cipriani for the gala, FIA leaders say this year’s celebration will be their most ambitious yet.
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