5 November 2026 · News
The Khalili Foundation had a major presence at this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda in areas of sport, youth, culture and film.
We were proud to sponsor the Commonwealth Heads of Government Cricket Match, played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday, 1 November 2026, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda hosted the Exhibition Cricket Match Series as part of its Independence Day celebrations. It brought Commonwealth leaders, emerging cricketers and local communities onto the same field. Under the banner “One Commonwealth, One Team”, the series brought the CHOGM 2026 theme, “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth”, to life through one of the Commonwealth’s most cherished sporting traditions.
From Marlborough House to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
The match followed the launch of the “One Commonwealth, One Team” series at Marlborough House in London in September, which the Foundation was proud to support. At that launch Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Commonwealth Secretary-General and Hon Shirley Botchweym, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth introduced a panel including the legendary Sir Vivian Richards and chaired by Waqas Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Khalili Foundation.
In Antigua, Waqas represented the Foundation on the field at the ceremonial coin toss. The coin was flipped by His Majesty King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth, marking the start of the cricket celebration.
King Charles III flipping the coin before the Khalili Foundation-sponsored Heads of Government cricket match
Waqas Ahmed represented the Khalili Foundation as lead sponsor of the Heads of Government match
Leaders take to the field
The programme opened with a friendly T5 match between Caribbean leaders and their counterparts from the wider Commonwealth. H.E. Dr Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, captained the Caribbean side. Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, led the wider Commonwealth team. Sir Vivian Richards and former England captain David Gower were named Honorary Team Managers. Sir Vivian is a cricket legend, a national hero and CHOGM 2026 Envoy.
The Commonwealth Future Stars Under-23 T10 Match then put emerging talent at the centre of the celebration. With 1.6 billion people across the Commonwealth under the age of 30, the fixture highlighted the importance of investing in youth and nurturing future leaders.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey said: “This cricket series demonstrates the power of sport to unite people across the Commonwealth, bringing our shared values to life and strengthening the partnerships and friendships that connect our nations.”
The Foundation has championed cricket as a meeting ground for faiths and cultures since its Peace at the Crease match at Lord’s in 2018. For the Foundation, this match was a vivid expression of trust, teamwork and mutual respect.
One Commonwealth Night: many voices, one Commonwealth
The following evening, Monday, 2 November, Waqas Ahmed co-hosted One Commonwealth Night with Senator Jamilla Kirwan at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Sir Idris Elba gave the special opening and welcome. Prime Minister Gaston Browne gave the official welcome on behalf of the host nation.
The show’s theme was “Many Voices. One Commonwealth.” It brought together artists and musicians from across the Commonwealth. Reggae star Tarrus Riley led the grand finale. Other performers included:
- the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
- Antiguan artist Claudette “CP” Peters
- poet Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh, introduced by Waqas
- Falu, the Kanneh-Masons and Rocky Dawuni
- Colonel Chris Hadfield, as part of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Astra Carta moment
- Asher Otto, Scottish pipers, steelpan players and Jah’Mila
The night closed with the whole company joining voices for “One Love”.
Waqas opened the One Commonwealth Night show with Sir Idris Elba, Jamilla Kirwan and conductor Daniel Barthelowmew-Poyser
One Commonwealth Night was curated to designed the cultural diversity of the Commonwealth
Common ground
On the field and on stage, CHOGM 2026 showed how sport and culture can carry the Commonwealth’s shared values beyond the formal meeting rooms. The Foundation’s sponsorship continues a partnership with the Commonwealth that dates back to 2017. It is built on the belief that shared experiences build lasting understanding between peoples. The Foundation’s forthcoming film, Common Ground, will tell the story of the power of cricket as a bridge-builder, anchored around the CHOGM cricket matches. Directed by Waqas Ahmed and using a fully Antiguan crew, much of the filming took place during CHOGM.
Filming an interview with Guyana’s President Irfan Ali
Filming the anniversary parade at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Imam Dr Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa and Pastor Dr James Movel Wuye also took part in CHOGM 2026. They are joint recipients of the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize and Ambassadors of the Commonwealth Faith Festival.
On Sunday, 1 November, they joined the CHOGM 2026 Interfaith Service at St John’s Pentecostal Church House of Restoration. His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla attended the service, where the Commonwealth Secretary-General delivered the Commonwealth Affirmation.
At the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum, held at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, the Imam and the Pastor delivered a peacebuilding workshop for young leaders from across the Commonwealth.They drew on their own story. In the 1990s they led opposing militias during religious conflict in Nigeria. They went on to found the Interfaith Mediation Centre together and have spent three decades turning conflict into coexistence.
The Khalili Foundation established the Commonwealth Peace Prize as a cornerstone of the Commonwealth Faith Festival. The Foundation presented the inaugural prize at Marlborough House on Commonwealth Day 2025, in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III.
