ICC prepares to bid for inclusion of cricket in LA Games 2028

New Delhi The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that it is preparing to showcase the game at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the board said on Tuesday.

Cricket last appeared at the 1900 Olympics in Paris and was rarely played in other multiple sporting events, which many see as essential to the growth of the game outside of the Commonwealth countries.

“Our sport is united behind this bid and we see the Olympics as part of cricket’s long-term future,” ICC President Greg Barclay said in a statement.

“We have over a billion fans around the world and about 90% of them want to watch cricket at the Olympics.”

92% of cricket’s followers come from South Asia as it is the dominant sport in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Barkley said the match’s inclusion in the 2028 Games would be welcomed by the 30 million cricket fans in America.

“We think cricket will be a great addition to the Olympics, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion because there are many other big sports that want to do the same,” New Zealander said.

“But now we think it’s time to do our best and show how amazing the partnership of cricket and the Olympic Games is.”

The ICC has set up an Olympic task force led by the President of the English Cricket Board, Ian Wattmore. It also includes former PepsiCo Inc CEO Indra Nooyi and USA Cricket President Parag Marathe.

“With so many fans and cricketers already based in the United States, and the huge global audience and followers of the sport all over the world, we believe the inclusion of cricket will add great value to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics…” Marath said.

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