Canada’s pioneering cricket league, Canada Super 60, has announced that its inaugural Women’s Trophy will be named in honour of Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, respected broadcaster, and tireless advocate for women’s cricket.
Canada Super 60 is the world’s first-ever ten-over-a-side event to launch with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season. The league will be staged under the roof of the iconic BC Place in Vancouver, showcasing international stars alongside homegrown Canadian talent.

As part of its commitment to celebrating women’s cricket and inspiring future generations, Canada Super 60 will name the Women’s Trophy each year after an international women’s cricket legend. This tradition will not only create awareness but also honour trailblazers whose contributions have shaped the women’s game.

This year, the league has chosen Mel Jones—not only for her outstanding career in cricket and broadcasting, but also for her leadership off the field. Jones has been a leading voice for women’s cricket worldwide, and the ICC has widely recognized her efforts. She played a pivotal role in supporting Afghan women cricketers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban takeover in 2021, helping coordinate their evacuation to Australia, providing resources, and co-founding the Pitch Our Future initiative to support their education and sporting careers. In recognition of these efforts, she was honoured with the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2025.

Thanks to her advocacy and international coordination, many of these Afghan players found refuge abroad including two who are now living in Canada, following the Canadian government’s support for their refugee applications. This aligns with the Canada Super 60 vision of using cricket as a platform for opportunity and inclusion. Mel Jones on Receiving the Honour said “This honour from Canada Super 60 truly humbles me,” said Mel Jones. “To have the Women’s Trophy named after me is something very special. What excites me most is the vision behind this initiative creating more opportunities and visibility for women’s cricket, especially in associate nations. Platforms like Canada Super 60 will inspire and empower a new generation of players. My hope is that one day, a Canadian cricket legend will have this trophy named after them, as the women’s game continues to grow in this country.”

The Canada Super 60 Women’s Trophy will be presented at BC Place, Vancouver, during the inaugural edition of the tournament, taking place from October 8–13, 2025.

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic isn’t just about world-class golf anymore; it’s about shaping a greener future.

In partnership with Deloitte, the tournament has launched the Green Incubator Challenge, a first-of-its-kind global call for ideas that could transform how sports and entertainment events tackle climate change.

The challenge is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups, students, and companies worldwide. Organisers say they’re looking for both fresh concepts and ready-to-deploy solutions that can make events more sustainable.

And here’s the big prize: the winning idea will be rolled out at the 2027 DP World Tour and Rolex Series tournament — giving it a global platform.

To help participants succeed, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic team and Deloitte will provide expert mentoring, guidance, and evaluation, ensuring that the solutions are not only bold but also practical and scalable.

“Through this challenge, we aim to identify visionary ideas that will shape the future of sustainable events globally,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The initiative is also part of the DP World Tour’s Green Drive programme, which is committed to achieving net-zero carbon by 2040.

Key Dates 

• November 18 – Shortlist announced
• December 19 – Three finalists revealed
• 2026 Tournament – Final pitches to expert judges

With this challenge, Dubai is sending a clear message: the future of global events must be sustainable, and innovation starts here.

To register for the challenge, visit https://dubaidesertclassic.com

AKCEL GP Academy today, announced a dynamic line-up of rising stars to compete in the 2025/26 Rotax Max and IAME UAE Karting Championships as part of their inaugural season. The line-up features Atiqa Asif Mir, Rivaan Dev Preetham, Rehan Khan Rasheed, Ridhaan A, Krishay Gutte, and Jagrat Detroja from India, Brando Londono from Canada and Linas Volungevicius from Lithuania.

The AKCEL GP Academy, based at the iconic YAS Marina Circuit, goes beyond racing with 360° driver development; covering technical training, fitness, mental conditioning in partnership with Wishtok for performance and wellness coaching, and career planning, offering a clear, professional roadmap to Formula racing and beyond. The Academy’s state-of-the-art garage experience centre and race-prep facilities are a testament to their vision to become the most advanced, structured, and internationally recognized karting academy in the region, nurturing future racing champions from grassroots.

AKCEL GP Academy is a part of the rapid emergence of UAE as one of the world’s most exciting motorsport destinations, with globally renowned circuits such as Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Autodrome, and by hosting the prestigious Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In 2024, the country’s sports event market generated more than Dh22.8 million in revenue and is projected to surpass Dh44 million by 2030, reflecting an annual growth rate of 11.8 percent. With the global motorsport industry valued at Dh34.9 billion, the UAE’s growing investment in racing innovation and talent development makes the launch of AKCEL GP Academy especially timely and impactful.

Leading the charge, Atiqa Mir has already made history as the first Indian to secure a top-10 finish at the Rotax Euro Trophy. Rivaan Dev Preetham, a two-time national champion, became India’s first race winner at the FIA Motorsport Games, finishing World No. 8 in 2024. Jagrat Detroja also made headlines in Valencia, taking pole position and finishing 5th overall. The next wave of Indian talent includes Rehan Khan Rasheed, holder of fastest laps across all three FMSCI-homologated tracks in Micro Max, and 11-year-old Ridhaan A, who broke into the National Karting Championship top-six on debut. Krishay Gutte adds further promise with consistent performances across Asia and the UAE.

On the international front, Brando Londono, Canada’s most-followed young racer, brings FIA European Karting Championship experience and is preparing his step up to Formula 4. Linas Volungevicius, a front-runner in the Rotax Latvia and Lithuania Championships, impressed with a top-10 finish at the FIA Motorsport Games. Together, these eight drivers form a fearless and ambitious squad set to light up the UAE karting circuit.

“We are thrilled to begin the first season of AKCEL GP Karting Academy, a platform that celebrates talent, passion, and perseverance. More than just racing, AKCEL GP Academy builds future champions and offers young drivers a world-class pathway here in the UAE and beyond. This inaugural season brings together talent from across the globe, proving that motorsport knows no borders. To every young driver: this is just the start of your journey. With hard work and belief, the track ahead has no limits,” declared Amit Kaushal, Chairman, AKCEL Group.

Looking ahead, AKCEL GP Academy plans to expand into European championships by 2027, creating a seamless pathway into the FIA Pyramid from FIA F4, FIA FREC, FIA F3 and FIA F2. Combining world-class infrastructure with a structured career plan, the Academy positions itself as more than a team, it is a talent factory and a gateway to professional motorsport.