- FMPCCI and Smolensk Region Cricket Federation, Russia Sign Historic MoU for Development of an Integrated Cricket Ecosystem under the Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project
Bhopal, The Federation of Madhya Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FMPCCI) and the Smolensk Region Cricket Federation, Russia, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an integrated cricket ecosystem under the proposed Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project.
The MoU was formally signed by Mr. Himanshu Khare, President, Federation of Madhya Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FMPCCI), and Mr. Evgeny Anatolyevich Zakharchenkov, President, Smolensk Region Cricket Federation, Smolensk, Russia.
The MoU is one of the first major outcomes of the proposed Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project, the Letter of Intent (LoI) for which was signed by the Mayors of Bhopal and Smolensk in May 2025, expressing the commitment of both cities to deepen cooperation in the fields of culture, education, sports, tourism, business, and economic development.
The collaboration seeks to leverage the rapidly growing sports economy by promoting cricket development, sports entrepreneurship, skill development, technology integration, sports tourism, and international business opportunities. Through this initiative, FMPCCI will serve as the Knowledge and Ecosystem Development Partner for the Smolensk Region Cricket Federation and facilitate partnerships across the cricket and sports value chain.
The collaboration will focus on:
* Vendor development and vendor connect for cricket equipment and sports infrastructure manufacturers
* Collaboration with cricket coaches, trainers, academies, and sports professionals
* Development and integration of IT infrastructure, sports analytics, and digital sports solutions
* Partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and corporate institutions
* Promotion of sports entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup ecosystem development
* Organization of cricket leagues, tournaments, exchange programmes, and sports tourism initiatives
* International knowledge exchange and collaboration between India and Russia
* Development opportunities in sports manufacturing, media, merchandising, fitness services, talent management, and related sectors
The MoU is one of the first major outcomes of the proposed Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project, the Letter of Intent (LoI) for which was signed by the Mayors of Bhopal and Smolensk in May 2025, expressing the commitment of both cities to deepen cooperation in the fields of culture, education, sports, tourism, business, and economic development.
The collaboration seeks to leverage the rapidly growing sports economy by promoting cricket development, sports entrepreneurship, skill development, technology integration, sports tourism, and international business opportunities. Through this initiative, FMPCCI will serve as the Knowledge and Ecosystem Development Partner for the Smolensk Region Cricket Federation and facilitate partnerships across the cricket and sports value chain.
The collaboration will focus on:
* Vendor development and vendor connect for cricket equipment and sports infrastructure manufacturers
* Collaboration with cricket coaches, trainers, academies, and sports professionals
* Development and integration of IT infrastructure, sports analytics, and digital sports solutions
* Partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and corporate institutions
* Promotion of sports entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup ecosystem development
* Organization of cricket leagues, tournaments, exchange programmes, and sports tourism initiatives
* International knowledge exchange and collaboration between India and Russia
* Development opportunities in sports manufacturing, media, merchandising, fitness services, talent management, and related sectors
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Himanshu Khare, President, FMPCCI, said:
"This partnership goes far beyond cricket. It represents a unique opportunity to build bridges between businesses, educational institutions, sports professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth from both regions. Through the Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project, we aim to create a globally connected sports ecosystem that generates innovation, employment, investment, and international collaboration."
Mr. Evgeny Anatolyevich Zakharchenkov, President, Smolensk Region Cricket Federation, stated:
"The signing of this MoU marks the beginning of a new chapter in sports cooperation between Smolensk and Madhya Pradesh. India is the global center of cricket, and we look forward to learning from its vast experience while creating new opportunities for athletes, coaches, institutions, and businesses in Russia. This partnership will help strengthen people-to-people ties and foster long-term collaboration between our regions."
The initiative is expected to create substantial opportunities for startups, sports professionals, educational institutions, manufacturers, technology companies, and investors while contributing to employment generation, youth engagement, innovation, and sports-led economic development.
The MoU further strengthens the broader vision of the Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project and is expected to serve as a catalyst for deeper cultural, educational, sporting, and economic cooperation between India and Russia.
FMPCCI and the Smolensk Region Cricket Federation have jointly invited educational institutions, sports organizations, corporates, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem partners to participate in and contribute to this transformative international initiative.
"This partnership goes far beyond cricket. It represents a unique opportunity to build bridges between businesses, educational institutions, sports professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth from both regions. Through the Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project, we aim to create a globally connected sports ecosystem that generates innovation, employment, investment, and international collaboration."
Mr. Evgeny Anatolyevich Zakharchenkov, President, Smolensk Region Cricket Federation, stated:
"The signing of this MoU marks the beginning of a new chapter in sports cooperation between Smolensk and Madhya Pradesh. India is the global center of cricket, and we look forward to learning from its vast experience while creating new opportunities for athletes, coaches, institutions, and businesses in Russia. This partnership will help strengthen people-to-people ties and foster long-term collaboration between our regions."
The initiative is expected to create substantial opportunities for startups, sports professionals, educational institutions, manufacturers, technology companies, and investors while contributing to employment generation, youth engagement, innovation, and sports-led economic development.
The MoU further strengthens the broader vision of the Bhopal–Smolensk Sister City Project and is expected to serve as a catalyst for deeper cultural, educational, sporting, and economic cooperation between India and Russia.
FMPCCI and the Smolensk Region Cricket Federation have jointly invited educational institutions, sports organizations, corporates, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem partners to participate in and contribute to this transformative international initiative.
