The International Cricket Council (ICC) has indicated that it might collaborate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include cricket in the Youth Olympics in 2030. This basis of the ICC assertion stems from the Government of India’s declaration last year that it intends to bid for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Mumbai, apart from 2036 in Olympics.
William Glenwright, ICC’s General Manager of Development, responded positively in an email to a certain Vivek Gopalan, stating, “It’s a good idea and something we could look at.” Gopalan’s email and Glenwright’s reply were also copied to ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, Wasim Khan, Claire Furlong, and Chris Tetley.
Gopanal has contended that “There is a strong for cricket at Youth Olympic Games (YOG) with Mumbai bidding to host 2030 YOG.” He has also written to the ICC official, stating that “No less a person than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now publicly proclaimed India’s desire to host both the 2030 YOG and 2036 Olympics.”
Modi hinted at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) while addressing the IOC session in Mumbai last October. Of late, however, the Indian Government’s focus has shifted to bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games – a point the Prime Minister reiterated during his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
The email to the ICC official advocates for the inclusion of cricket in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by presenting several arguments. It states, “All top sports, including Rugby Sevens, are part of the YOG. Why not Cricket? Including Cricket in the YOG would revolutionize grassroots cricket globally, especially among the ICC Associates.” The age limit for participants in the YOG is between 15 and 18.
The mail further notes, “Now that ICC has formed strong links with IOC and IOC recognizes that the “cricket brand ” can enhance the “Olympic Brand ” it would not be a difficult task to convince IOC to include Cricket as a core sport in the Youth Olympics.”
Cricket has been included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 for the first time since the 1900 Paris Games.
Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach volleyball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field hockey, Football, Futsal, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Modern pentathlon, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling are the disciplines that feature in YOG.
