The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed to drive cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Cricket was last part of the Olympics in 1900 when Great Britain played France in that edition held in Paris.
A committee has been set up to lead the bidding process headed by England and Wales Cricket Board Chair, Ian Watmore.
USA with 30 million cricket fans ideal for cricket's return at Olympics
They believe USA, housing 30 million cricket fans, to be the perfect platform to mark a return of cricket into the competition after its 128-year long absence. This comes after a sustained effort by the ICC who believe that cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics is what the fans desire and will help to bring in new audiences and grow the game.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay talking about the same reiterated, “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.” Read More: World T20 to begin on October 17 in UAE, Oman; final on November 14
Challenges in the way
He also mentioned about the challenges in the way of facilitating this change. “We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same. But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics are,” he said.
The ICC Olympic Working Group along with being chaired by, Ian Watmore will be joined by the 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, talking about the same mentioned, “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."
"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.
Format yet to be chosen
Cricket will feature in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the move by ICC to push for inclusion of the game at the Olympics is encouraging. There has not been any decision about the format yet but T20 cricket is a strong contender as it is being played around the world for a considerable period now.
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