How we helped cricket grow in Iceland.
By Abhishek “Abhi” Chauhan—an Indian hospitality entrepreneur, left-arm bowler and community organiser who helped build Kópavogur Puffins with friends and volunteers.
A sport became a community.
I arrived in Iceland in 2014 with a hospitality background and a lifelong connection to cricket. The game was small here, but the enthusiasm was real. With friends, players and volunteers, we created opportunities to practise, organise matches and welcome people who were looking for both sport and belonging.
In 2015, Kópavogur Puffins Cricket Club was established. It became a home for players from different countries and backgrounds, connected by one badge and the shared work of growing cricket in Iceland.
“Cricket gave people a reason to meet. Community gave the game a reason to survive.”
Persistence, partnerships and people.
No single person built Icelandic cricket. Progress came from players, organisers, families, sponsors, clubs and volunteers choosing to keep showing up.
A new life in Iceland
Abhishek settled in Reykjavík and connected hospitality, cricket and community work.
Kópavogur Puffins
The club was established and began building a competitive and welcoming identity.
Domestic competition
Regular training, matches and club development helped cricket become more visible.
International outlook
Tours, visiting teams and wider media attention connected Icelandic cricket with the world.
Three principles that travelled beyond cricket.
Know the strengths around you. A club grows when players, organisers and supporters all have a meaningful role.
Progress in a small sporting community is rarely instant. Consistency turns a difficult idea into a real institution.
The strongest story is not one hero. It is a group of people creating opportunities for the next group.