Indica News Bureau-
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has welcomed the Fairground announcement in Pomona, Southern California, as a place for cricket in Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28).
The cricket competition in LA28 will have the facility of every six teams in men and women’s competition as the game returns to sports after 128 years.
An official news release said that the ICC chair, J Shah, has welcomed the confirmation of the venue and is eager to work in a partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure the success of cricket in the game.
Shah said, “We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket in Los Angeles 2028 as it is an important step to prepare for the return of our game in the Olympics.”
“Although cricket is a very popular sport, it will be a great opportunity to expand traditional boundaries, when it introduces a fast book in the Olympics, in the exciting T20 format that should appeal to the new audience.”
He said, “From the ICC, I want to express my gratitude for the LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for my support and look forward to cooperating with him and ICC members in the preparation for LA28 and making cricket a big success.”
Cricket, which made its only appearance at the Olympics at the Paris Games in 1900, was included in the Los Angeles Olympics after an IOC meeting in Mumbai in October 2023.
Cricket LA28 includes five new games – baseball/softball, flag football, lacros (sixes) and squash.
The T20 format, which is recognized as a vehicle for the development of the game by the ICC, has also depicted other multi-game events in recent years.
In the Asian Games in 2010, 2014 and 2023, both men and women’s T20 competitions were shown, while Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games staged a women’s competition.
(Photo courtesy: image.icc- cricket.com)
