Leading the Game: Nepal’s Double ICC Global Award for Digital Fan Engagement Triumph

Introduction: A New Era for Nepali Cricket

The world over, cricket resounds with tales of victory that are etched in the very spirit of triumph, yet Nepal has created such a legacy that exists apart from cricketing feats. For the second consecutive year, the Cricket Association of Nepal, working in partnership with Makura Creations in the digital realm, won the prestigious ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year Award, a landmark recognition honoring the world’s strongest, most ingenious, and efficacious digital fan engagement strategy. The trophy is a testament to innovation, impetus by community excitement, a vision for purposeful storytelling, all converging to redefine the meaning of being a cricketing nation.

What is the ICC Digital Fan Engagement Award?

The ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year Award is presented each year to an Associate Member cricket board that exhibits distinction, innovation, and creativity in the use of digital platforms- these include riveting campaign work, cutting-edge technology, and community building on the Internet to bring fans closer to the game. The award looks for detectable measures of impact, i.e., reach, interactivity, creativity, and enabling fans to walk this cricket journey unlike anything before. Basically, it involves turning spectator activities into a global movement.

The Path to Back-to-Back Global Wins

2023: Setting the Standard

In 2023, Nepal was recognized for ground-breaking initiatives: live digital match coverages, viral social content, and creating online spaces that nurtured a vibrant cricket culture.

2024: Doubling Down on Digital Excellence

This year, CAN, fueled by Makura Creations’ digital expertise, took engagement to unprecedented heights. The ICC cited Nepal’s “strategic expansion across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), and newly launched Domestic Facebook accounts” as the heart of its global win. Here’s what set Nepal apart:

• Multi-Platform Expansion: Beyond official channels, few imaginative, specially-curated domestic pages reached hyper-local and international audiences. 
• Story-Driven Content: Shows like the “Happy Dressing Room,” behind-the-scenes exclusives, and player-interviewer sessions provided fans with rare insider access, making players more relatable and stories easier to share. 
• Dynamic, Real-Time Updates: Live match moments, interactive polls, and special campaigns created a community sense around each fixture and stirred anticipation.

The Makura Creations Impact: What We Did Right

Our collaboration with CAN was not just about account handling, i.e., we built a complete digital ecosystem, from setting up growth strategies based on data to creative storytelling and to technical excellence:

• Audience Analytics: To identify the demographics of fans, their behaviour, and content preferences for engaging campaigns. 
• Content Innovation: These included all sorts: videos, reels, polls, infographics, and interactive stories that ensured that audiences kept coming back to comment and share. 
• Community Management: Curation of interactions with fans where user-generated content was accepted and even highlighted grassroots moments.
• Technical Delivery: Ensuring seamless, high-quality streams and updates, even for high-traffic marquee events.

Our commitment: Make every Nepali fan feel seen, heard, and valued online.

The Numbers: Nepal’s Digital Stats Speak Volumes

The 2024 ICC report highlighted a surge in CAN’s digital influence:

Each data point is a testament to the vibrant Nepali cricket community’s energy and our relentless pursuit to deliver what fans love.

Why This Matters: More Than Just Numbers

This digital movement has:

• Brought international spotlight and commercial interest to Nepali cricket.
• Boosted stadium attendances by making fans feel connected to every moment, both on and off the field.
• Inspired a wave of new content—youth and women’s cricket, grassroots stories, and global celebrations.

As CAN’s Cricket Operations Manager Binod Das aptly said,

“It has made players more relatable and recognisable to the fans… There are more global eyes on Nepal cricket team now. The fans deserve this award more than anyone else.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Nepali Cricket Engagement

At Makura Creations, we are literally just beginning. The next big plans include:

• Even more immersive matchday experiences.
• Expand backstage access and storytelling.
• Focus more on women and youth cricket narratives.
• Employ AI alongside next-gen analytics to personalize fan journeys further.

Our goal is clear: Not to amass awards but to create the world’s most passionate and connected cricket community.

Gratitude

This achievement belongs to every Nepali cricket fan: the ones who like, share, comment, and champion the game online and offline. We thank CAN for its vision and trust. Together, we’re rewriting the story of Nepali cricket—and this is just the beginning.