The inaugural ICC global leaders academy has been launched at their headquarters in Dubai ©ICC

The inaugural International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Leaders Academy has been launched with 28 current and future heads of governing bodies from around the world taking part in the programme.

The two-tiered programme consists of eight senior level executives and 20 future leaders, who will follow 18 and six month programmes respectively.

In all, 22 of the ICC's member nations were represented across the five days at the organisation's headquarters in Dubai.

The focus of the academy is to "empower future leaders to have the courage to think big, be culturally aware and politically savvy" it is claimed.

Both groups visited the ICC Headquarters in Dubai to meet with the head coach and chief executive of Red Bull Middle East and Africa, Nicolas Hamawi, as well as senior leaders from Ski Dubai and Vox cinemas.

“It was imperative to recognise that full immersion into a brand is very important," said Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Malcolm Cannon.

"The engagement of everyone to ‘sell’ a concept and have a shared sense of direction makes the job of leadership simpler and more rewarding.

"All underpinned by being creative, but also being prepared to fail and press the reset button.

“Quite simply, this was a game-changing experience.

"Not only through self-analysis, but also developing a support network which appreciates the pressures and being exposed to experiences, advice and expertise from senior leaders."

The academy attempts, it is claimed, to
The academy attempts, it is claimed, to "empower future leaders to have the courage to think big, be culturally aware and politically savvy" ©ICC

Following each three-day leadership workshop, participants will also receive external coaching, peer-to-peer networking and support from the participants’ leaders.

Each individual will then have the chance to implement their training during specially designed’ projects.

“The ICC Global Leaders Academy is a significant investment in the leaders and future leaders of the developing cricket world," added Andy Hobbs, the ICC's development services manager.

"We firmly believe for us to improve the quality of international cricket, build better cricket systems, get more people playing cricket and grow the game, we need high quality, savvy and determined leaders.

“We established a programme of what the game demands of its future leaders, one of the key priorities is to be ‘comfortable being uncomfortable’ and the way the participants embraced that challenge throughout the week was remarkable and inspiring.

"The truly exciting part is that this was just the start of the journey for all 28 leaders."