USAID Announces National Cricket Player Mahmudullah Riyad as Goodwill Ambassador

Collected: Dhaka, November 20, 2017—The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Bangladesh has announced Mahmudullah Riyad as USAID’s Goodwill Ambassador for youth and development in Bangladesh. Mr. Riyad will work with USAID to engage thousands of young people via social media and public service announcements on the importance of youth empowerment in Bangladesh, and the need to increase education and nutrition, and reduce gender-based violence.

In a press conference during the signing ceremony, Janina Jaruzelski, USAID/Bangladesh Mission Director, said, “We know that as USAID’s Goodwill Ambassador, Mahmudullah Riyad will help us to ensure that youth are at the forefront of Bangladesh’s development efforts. As a national inspiration and international sports champion, Mahmudullah will be a powerful force and inspiring voice in working with USAID to raise awareness and mobilize youth to achieve core development objectives in Bangladesh.”

In his statement, Mahmudullah emphasized that, “We need to do more to show today’s youth that they have the power to influence their communities and shape the future of this country. That’s why I consider this partnership with USAID and this opportunity to serve as Goodwill Ambassador to be a great honor. I’m looking forward to meeting and raising awareness of our young people about important issues, especially education, nutrition, and gender-based violence,” he said.

Mahmudullah Riyad is one of Bangladesh’s highest profile public figures. He played a critical role in leading the Bangladeshi cricket team to numerous victories, and is the first batsman for Bangladesh to score back-to-back centuries in World Cup cricket history.

USAID/Bangladesh is partnering with Mahmudullah Riyad due to his strong record of commitment to Bangladesh’s development, especially with regard to youth empowerment.

The U.S. Government, through USAID, has provided more than $7 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since 1971. In 2016, USAID provided nearly $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh through programs that expand food security and economic opportunity, improve health and education, promote democratic institutions and practices, protect the environment, and increase resiliency to climate change.