Historic milestone for East African cricket as ICC Chairman opens TCA Arena

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah on Sunday inaugurated the Tanzania Cricket Arena (TCA Arena) in Dar es Salaam, marking a historic milestone for the country's cricketing journey. The venue is the first-ever ICC-approved cricket stadium in Tanzania and is expected to play a pivotal role in developing the sport across East Africa.

The inauguration also marks the first time an ICC Chairman has visited Tanzania to officially open a cricket venue, underlining the ICC's commitment to expanding the game's footprint beyond traditional cricketing nations.

Tanzania's permanent home for cricket

Located at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the TCA Arena has been built as Tanzania's permanent home for cricket. The modern facility comprises two international-standard cricket ovals and will serve as the country's national high-performance centre.

The venue will be used for:

• Player development programmes
• Talent identification pathways
• Coach education initiatives
• Umpire training and development
• Hosting international cricket tournaments

The project moved swiftly from conception to completion. Land for the stadium was allocated in October 2024, construction began after the groundbreaking ceremony in April 2025, and the facility was completed in July 2026.

World Cup Challenge League B to headline debut

The newly inaugurated venue is set to stage its first major international tournament when it hosts the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Challenge League B from August 8 to August 18, 2026. The tournament is a key qualification pathway towards the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, making Tanzania's debut as a host nation a significant moment for cricket in the region.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) Chairman Dr B.S. Sreekumar, ICC delegates, and senior government officials.

Jay Shah hails Tanzania's remarkable progress

Speaking at the inauguration, ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the Tanzania Cricket Association for its vision and commitment to growing the sport.

"The inauguration of the TCA Arena is a significant milestone for cricket in Tanzania and demonstrates what can be achieved through vision, commitment and strong collaboration. The progress made by the Tanzania Cricket Association is remarkable. TCA have shown great ambition and determination in developing a modern cricket facility while continuing to expand participation, strengthen its workforce and create better opportunities for players across the country."

"The TCA Arena represents an exciting future for cricket in Tanzania and the wider African region. It will provide an important platform for Tanzania to host international cricket, develop its players, coaches and match officials, and inspire more young people to become involved in the game. The ICC will continue to work alongside Tanzania and its other Members to enhance cricket infrastructure, build local capability and ensure that the opportunities available through ICC programmes are used to create sustainable growth," he added.

'A defining moment for cricket in Tanzania'

Tanzania Cricket Association Chairman Dr B.S. Sreekumar described the inauguration as a landmark occasion for the country's sporting landscape.

"The inauguration of the TCA Arena is a defining moment for cricket in Tanzania. This facility is far more than a cricket ground; it represents a vision for the future of our sport and demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships, commitment and belief. We are proud to provide our players, coaches and future generations with a world-class home for cricket, while creating new opportunities to host international competitions and inspire more young Tanzanians to embrace the game."