Cricket included in 2022 Asian Games: The sport will make a return to the Asian Games after eight years in the year 2022.
In a development which has it in it to come as a relishing one for the Asian fans is that cricket has been included for the 2022 Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou. The decision was taken at the OCA’s General Assembly in Bangkok.
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Despite India not participating in the event due to packed international schedule, cricket was played during the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014 in Guangzhou and Incheon respectively.
“Yes, cricket has been included in the sports programme for 2022 Hangzhou Games,” OCA honorary vice-president Randhir Singh told PTI.
Waiting for more detail, but it appears that the Olympic Council of Asia has approved cricket’s readmission to the Asian Games at Hangzhou 2022. They’ve also decided to admit nations from Oceania to compete, Not clear whether this includes cricket teams from Oceania.
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) March 3, 2019
Cricket will be back at the Asiad in 2022
Cricket is set for a return at the Asian Games after the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Sunday included it in the sports programme for the 2022 ed— Maria Homez (@HomezMaria) March 3, 2019
“We welcome the decision”
IOA (Indian Olympic Association) General Secretary Rajeev Mehta welcomed the decision of the OCA (Olympic Council of India). “We welcome the decision of the OCA. Which format will be played is not yet confirmed but it is a welcome decision,” Mehta said in Bangkok after attending the meeting.
“The IOA will request the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to send a cricket team in the 2022 Asian Games. India can win in both men and women’s events and increase its medal tally,” Mehta added.
“There is a lot of time to go for 2022 Asian Games. In due time, we will discuss and decide,” a BCCI official opined highlighting the three years remaining in the tournament.
Cricket confirmed for 2022 Asian Games at Hangzhou https://t.co/9t5It8I8pJ pic.twitter.com/q52BJRBXxp
— Czarsportz (@Emerging_93) March 3, 2019
Been on the cards for a while now but Australia will be allowed to compete at 2022 Asian Games after Oceania participation rubber-stamped
— Julian Linden (@julianlinden) March 3, 2019
When BCCI had declined the offer to play in the 2014 Asian Games, the then OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah didn’t hesitate in saying that the Indian administrators are only looking to make money from the sport and not working to promote it globally.
“I’m sorry that India, for the second Games, did not send a team. I respect their decision but I believe the people in charge are not interested in promotion of the game but only in making it a business, in making money out of it. They want to control the market and control the game,” he had mentioned.
