Dubai: Emirates welcomes all-women ICC officials ahead of Women’s World Cup 2025
The mega cricket fixture to begin in India this September
DUBAI – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, received the all-female Emirates ICC panel of match officials at its Dubai headquarters ahead of their journey to India and Sri Lanka for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
The delegation, comprising 14 umpires and four match referees from 10 nationalities, paid tribute to Emirates, the global partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, now in its 13th edition, will take place in India from 30 September to 2 November. In a historic first, all matches will be officiated exclusively by women, marking a milestone for the tournament and for global sport.
Historic first
Welcoming the delegation, Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, said the airline was proud to support the first all-women team of match officials at a major ICC event. He emphasised that the occasion reflected shared values of inclusivity and equal opportunity, while also strengthening connections with fans through the universal passion for cricket.
Women in sport
Emirates’ commitment to advancing women in sport is further reflected in its support for the ICC 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme. The initiative offers aspiring female leaders world-class development opportunities, including mentoring, international exposure, and discounted travel to learning events outside their home countries.
Strong partnership
Emirates’ relationship with the ICC spans more than three decades, making it one of the longest-running partnerships in global sport. The airline’s branding features prominently on the official kit of the ICC Elite and International Panels of Umpires, as well as on the panels of Match Referees.
Beyond sponsorship and media visibility, Emirates also provides international transport for officials at ICC events, ensuring global reach across tournaments including the ICC Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, the ICC T20 World Cups, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the ICC World Test Championship Final.