LA28 recommends cricket for Olympic inclusion

CRICKET PNG MEDIA RELEASE

LA28 ORGANISERS recommend cricket for Olympic inclusion

• First time for cricket in the Olympics in more than a century

•   Boost for cricketing countries outside the top tier

•   Cricket PNG to strengthen its already strong links with PNG Olympic Committee

Cricket PNG is thrilled to hear that cricket has been recommended for inclusion at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Whilst this is not the final decision, it is a very significant landmark towards seeing cricket at the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.

The decision, to be ratified at the IOC Executive Board meeting at the IOC Session in Mumbai next week, will provide a particular boost to many cricket countries outside the top tier by allowing them to further engage with their respective National Olympic Committees.

Cricket PNG Board Member, Tamzin Wardley, who has served for sixteen years on the PNG Olympic Committee, including roles as Treasurer, and as Team PNG’s Chef de Mission to the Tokyo Olympics, said in response to the announcement today, “This is fantastic news. Cricket PNG is already a part of our National Olympic Committee and has been financial for a very long time. The PNGOC is also the Commonwealth Games Association for PNG and the Pacific Games Association for PNG, and cricket has also been part of both those organizations. To be a competition sport in Los Angeles would be very exciting for cricket in PNG”.

Cricket PNG, CEO Richard Done, stated, “The decision to recommend the sport of cricket to the IOC Executive Board has been the outcome of years of effort by the ICC and its members, and Cricket PNG congratulates all those involved in the process”.

Done also said, “This clearly fits in with two of Cricket PNG’s Strategic Plan Pillars - International Success, and Profile Enhancement. But the benefits can be even more far-reaching. Being included in the Olympic Games, enables PNG cricket to be part of the larger PNG sports environment and provides recognition as a competitive sport both within and outside the country. There could be opportunities for scholarships for both athletes and coaches and additional support for preparation and competition. If we have the chance to qualify, it will inspire a new generation of cricketers to be part of a larger Olympic sporting family and form a bond with other Papua New Guinean Olympic sports”.

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Further Information: Megan Taureka mtaureka@cricketpng.org.pg