Team India is currently battling out for the 2023 World Cup trophy at home.
India's Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, enthusiastically welcomed the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) took this historic decision on October 16, as cricket is set to return to the Olympics after 128 years. Apart from cricket, squash, lacrosse, flag football, and baseball and softball will also be part of the LA28.
Meanwhile, Chopra, who made history by clinching India's first Olympic gold in athletics in the men's javelin competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, expressed his delight at cricket's entry into the prestigious sporting event.
The javelin star stressed that cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics offers an exceptional opportunity for the sport to attain global recognition. The champion athlete mentioned that this historic decision is a lot more significant for India, as it will further boost the country's passion and prowess in the sport.
Neeraj Chopra told Olympic Khel: “It feels great. It's great news for India because we already have a very good team. Talented youngsters are coming up and some of them are even playing in the senior team. There is so much more potential. I think this will be our plus point. We already have a very good team. For cricket, the sport, it's a great news. It will get recognition as a global sport. A lot of times, people say cricket is played by only a few countries.”
Chopra concluded, “The sport coming to the Olympics... if it can make a mark, it will be great for the sporting world. Cricket will be exported to the globe; more countries will be playing it.”
Well, Team India is currently battling out for the 2023 World Cup trophy in front of the home crowd, and they are on the right track, having won all of their first three matches in the tournament. India will next face Bangladesh in the CWC 2023 on October 19 in Pune.