The Cricket Connection
The Utah Muslim Civic League (UMCL) represents 60,000 Muslims from 120 different nationalities across Utah. The UMCL does vital work by empowering Muslims to engage in civic activities and become involved citizens and leaders within their communities. Ali Hamza happened to be working as an intern at UMCL when he first met Danielle Lower.
Danielle Lower currently serves as Executive Director of the Mountain West Foundation (MWF), the non-profit arm of Mountain West Small Business Finance. Lower spent two decades in the non-profit sector, advocating for small businesses with a particular penchant for supporting women, underserved, and low-income entrepreneurs.
The UMCL works to promote small businesses and connect community leaders with the Muslim Community, so it wasn’t surprising for Hamza and Lower to cross paths and reconnect at roundtables for the Small Business Administration.
Hamza’s shared with Lower and MWF Chair, John Evans, that while he was no longer working for UMCL, he was involved with a new organization also doing vital work for underserved populations-that organization: the Utah Cricket Association (UCA). The organization, primarily made up of new immigrants and refugees, works to help individuals and families integrate. Then, Hamza asked if the Mountain West Foundation would like to be involved.
Ahmed Rafique, President of the Utah Cricket Association (UCA) explained that the organization “has grown into a vibrant, inclusive community that welcomes players from all backgrounds and skill levels. We have built a space where sportsmanship, competition, and camaraderie thrive. It’s incredible to witness the impact cricket has had on fostering connections within Utah’s diverse communities and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.”
While the ball-and-flat-bat game is not particularly well known in the Western US, the amalgamation of connection and culture within UCL made it an easy sell to MWF’s Board. After a unanimous vote for approval, the Mountain West Foundation was officially a UCA sponsor. Rafique says the financial support goes beyond helping enhance the quality of the tournaments but also encourages building a strong community connection.
“(MWF’s) commitment to supporting local organizations like ours highlights the shared value of fostering community engagement, promoting sportsmanship, and helping our sport grow. Their sponsorship has allowed us to extend opportunities to more participants and ensure the (championship playoff) event was a success for everyone involved.”
Rafique says UCA’s efforts to bring high-quality tournaments to the region, with participation from interstate teams, has been particularly rewarding, but he wishes more people knew about the rich, passionate cricket community that exists in Utah. “Cricket is not just an international sport;” he explains. “It’s a growing part of our local culture that brings people together across different backgrounds.”
A quick “popularity of cricket” Google search showcases it’s the second largest international sport for popularity behind soccer and one of the fastest growing sports in the US. Cricket is set to be featured in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which is only expected to grow the sports interest in the US, already fueled by the the rise of Major and Minor League Cricket teams, as well as the U.S. team’s win over Pakistan at the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup.
For so many, “UCA offers a platform for people to not only enjoy the sport but also build lasting friendships and engage in meaningful community service,” Rafique says. “There’s a place for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned player, a beginner, or just a fan of the game.”
And UCA has big plans for the future:
“We envision UCA continuing to expand its footprint across the region by organizing larger, more competitive interstate tournaments and fostering youth development programs. Our goal is to make Utah a recognized hub for cricket in the western United States, creating pathways for both recreational and professional development. We hope to strengthen our partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, ensuring sustainable growth for the future of cricket in the region.”
The Mountain West Foundation looks forward to a continued relationship supporting the organization and its members along the way.
About the Mountain West Foundation
The Mountain West Foundation (MWF) is the charitable arm of Mountain West Small Business Finance focused on community empowerment and economic development with a unique focus tailored to supporting underserved and emerging small businesses. The foundation helps these small businesses by removing barriers that often make them a harder fit for traditional bank loans.
Whether those needs are met through access to training and educational opportunities or providing financial support through the foundation or its resource partners, the Mountain West Foundation is proud to be a strong community partner through it’s work in helping more small businesses and the people behind them realize their dreams and grow their communities for the better.