By Milcah Tanimu
Mumbai, India – Organizers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles have announced that cricket will be among the five new sports featured in the event. During a vote at the International Olympic Committee’s session in Mumbai, cricket, along with baseball/softball, flag football, squash, and lacrosse, received approval.
The decision to include Twenty20 cricket, the shortest format of the sport, was initially accepted by the IOC’s executive board last week, based on a proposal put forth by LA organizers. However, the final selection had to be confirmed during the recent IOC session in Mumbai, a city known for its cricket fervor and one of the global hubs for the sport. This decision came amidst India hosting the men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup.
Los Angeles officials have proposed a six-team competition for both men’s and women’s T20 cricket. While the United States is slated to participate as the host nation, the exact number of teams and the qualification process are yet to be determined.
The last time cricket was part of the Olympic program was in the 1900 Paris Olympics, where a British team emerged victorious against a French representative side.
The inclusion of cricket in the Olympic roster is seen as a financially strategic move. It aims to tap into the lucrative South Asian market, attracting fans from countries like India and Pakistan. The Indian Premier League, known for featuring cricket’s global stars, has played a significant role in making India the economic powerhouse of the sport, thanks to its large fan base and lucrative broadcasting deals in a nation where cricket is akin to a religion.
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