International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah attended the Brisbane 2032 Olympic committee meeting in Australia on Thursday and shared glimpses of the meet in a short video on social media.
“Very exciting time ahead for cricket’s involvement in the Olympics movement – a meeting with the @Brisbane_2032 organizing committee in Brisbane, Australia today,” Shah wrote in his post on ‘X’ about the meeting, the news of which was first reported by Timesofindia.com.
Shah had played an important role in cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic programme for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, marking the sport’s historic return after its only earlier appearance in the 1900 Olympics.
Shah was the BCCI secretary at the time the International Olympic Committee confirmed cricket’s inclusion for LA 2028, and had said: “The BCCI has been a staunch supporter of the ICC’s efforts to include cricket as an Olympic sport. We are thrilled to witness this momentous occasion, which marks a significant milestone for the sport. Our active participation has been instrumental in promoting the case for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics. This initiative aligns with the idea of India hosting the 2036 Olympics, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister.”
“The Indian Cricket Team boasts an unparalleled global fanbase, and their participation in this prestigious quadrennial event will undoubtedly enhance the sport’s global stature. Our contributions were pivotal in securing cricket’s presence at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham and the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China.”
(ICC chairman Jay Shah – agency photo)
“The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is set to open new frontiers for the sport, providing unparalleled exposure in untapped global markets. Moreover, we anticipate that this decision will yield significant financial dividends and have a profound positive impact on our sport’s ecosystem. It will fuel infrastructural development, intensify competition, foster youth development and create opportunities for officials, volunteers and skilled professionals,” Shah had said.
Shah, who was elected the ICC chairman earlier this year, assumed office on December 1.
