BCCI secretary Jay Shah is thrilled to witness the momentous occasion of the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics and has termed it a ‘significant milestone’ for the sport.
Following the recommendation by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics committee last week, Cricket’s inclusion into the Olympics was formally approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai on Monday.
Notably, Cricket is one of six sports to get a approval by the IOC alongside Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Lacrosse and Squash.
Since the Paris Olympics in 1900, it will be the first time cricket will be at the showpiece event. In the Paris games, Great Britain had defeated France in a one-off match.
“The BCCI has been a staunch supporter of the ICC’s efforts to include cricket as an Olympic sport. We are thrilled to witness this momentous occasion, which marks a significant milestone for the sport. Our active participation has been instrumental in promoting the case for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics. This initiative aligns with the idea of India hosting the 2036 Olympics, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister. The Indian Cricket Team boasts an unparalleled global fanbase, and their participation in this prestigious quadrennial event will undoubtedly enhance the sport’s global stature. Our contributions were pivotal in securing cricket’s presence at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham and the Asian Games 2022 in Guangzhou, China,” Shah said in an official statement.
Significantly, Shah was a member of the ICC Olympics Working Group and has played a critical role in securing cricket’s participation in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
“The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is set to open new frontiers for the sport, providing unparalleled exposure in untapped global markets. Moreover, we anticipate that this decision will yield significant financial dividends and have a profound positive impact on our sport’s eco-system. It will fuel infrastructural development, intensify competition, foster youth development, and create opportunities for officials, volunteers, and skilled professionals,” he concluded.