Jay Shah confirms BCCI, ICC on the same page over cricket’s inclusion to Olympics in 2028

The Indian board had initially given a conditional nod to send a team for the 2028 Olympics.

Jay Shah | GettyCricket’s addition to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has brightened as BCCI has moved on from its reluctance to join the multi-sports event.

In fact, ICC’s proposal to introduce cricket as an Olympic sport in 2028 has been placed before the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

See Also: BCCI announces cash rewards for India’s Tokyo Olympics medallists

“Once cricket is added in the Olympics, India will be participating,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah quoted as saying by Hindustan Times on Monday (August 9). “The BCCI and the ICC are on the same page as far as participation in the Olympics is concerned.”

According to the Hindustan Times report, the Indian board had initially given a conditional nod to send a team for the 2028 Olympics, citing that its autonomy must not be disturbed and there should be no interference from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The report also suggests that the BCCI, IOA and government are working in sync. In fact, the Indian cricket board had contributed INR 10 crore to assist the Tokyo bound Indian contingent’s marketing budget and the governing body recently announced cash rewards worth INR 4 crore for the seven medallists at Tokyo Olympics.

With a push from the government to increase India’s medal tally, BCCI administration has also changed its standpoint.

“The BCCI is more than happy to work together with the government and help increase India’s medal chances,” a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.

While cricket has been a part of Commonwealth Games in the past, it had last featured in Olympics over 120 years ago, in 1900.

Shorter format of T20Is should be first-choice for Olympics even though T10 and The Hundred have also been introduced as cricket’s two new versions lately. With neither T10 nor The Hundred having international status, ICC is likely to start with T20Is.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 09 Aug, 2021

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