Grey Barclay targets the inclusion of cricket in Olympics 2028

Greg Barclay (Source: Twitter)

ICC Chairman Greg Barclay has reckoned that their top priority is to include the game of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. 

Cricket is one of the nine additional sports, which is in line for inclusion in the Olympics 2028. The T20 format is certainly the most popular format, due to its fast-paced action and total gameplay of three hours. 

After the concept of the Indian Premier League becoming a big hit, most nations have followed the same route to organize their domestic leagues. 

The action of the T20 World Cup will now switch to USA and West Indies in the 2024 edition. According to Barclay, the US currently ranks as the third-largest TV market with around 30 million fans in the country. 

With the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in 2023 and the hosting rights of T20 WC 2024, the USA is poised to become a big market for the game. The awareness of the game will be critical for the progress of cricket in the USA. 

Barclay thinks the entry of cricket into the Olympics will be beneficial for all the member associations. He added that the commercial interest in the game is also likely to be increased, with much exposure to big US investors. 

Here is what Greg Barclay stated

"The Olympics is the biggest event in the world - one that would showcase cricket like never before and provide fresh opportunities for all of our Member Associations. 

"In turn, we believe that cricket - with its fanbase and geographical reach - would open new audiences to the Olympic Movement and new commercial interest to the Games in a way that no other sport can do."

Recently, Barclay was elected unopposed as the chairman of the apex board. He first took over this role in November 2020. 

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