ICC to push for cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics

Dubai, Aug 10: In good news for cricket fans, the ICC has confirmed its intention to push for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic Games going forward. The cricket board has started preparations with the primary target being its addition to the Los Angeles 2028 itinerary.

 

In order to do so, a Working Group to lead the bid has been assembled by the ICC. The ICC, speaking about the fan base for cricket, stated, 30 million cricket fans live in the USA, making LA 2028 the ideal Games for cricket to make its return to the Olympic competition. It should be noted that cricket, till now, has made just one appearance in the Olympics, way back in 1900 in Paris when only two teams competed at the event – Great Britain and hosts France – meaning the sport's inclusion in 2028 would mark the end of a 128-year absence.

 

Besides, this sport will feature in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games next year, which shapes as a perfect showcase for what the sport can bring to the Olympics, as well as being a momentous occasion on its own. ICC Chair Greg Barclay said the addition of cricket to the Olympic Games would be beneficial to both the sport and the Games themselves. “Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future. We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics."

 

 

The ICC Olympic Working Group will be chaired by England and Wales Cricket Board Chair Ian Watmore. He will be joined by ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, Chair of Zimbabwe Cricket Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Associate Member Director and Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram and Chair of USA Cricket Parag Marathe. Marathe believes the time is now for cricket to make its long-awaited return to the Olympics, confident the sport's inclusion at the showpiece event would accelerate the growth of the game in the USA.

 

 

“USA Cricket is thrilled to be able to support cricket’s bid for inclusion in the Olympics, the timing of which aligns perfectly with our continuing plans to develop the sport in the USA," he said. "With so many passionate cricket fans and players already in the USA, and a huge global audience and following for the sport around the world, we believe that cricket’s inclusion will add great value to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and help us to achieve our own vision for establishing cricket as a mainstream sport in this country," he added.