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.
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“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.
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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.
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