ATLANTA (Pajhwok): Organisers have announced the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 2028.
The decision was made in a meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) based on the voting in the Mumbai city of India.
In addition to cricket, baseball, flag football (a format in which players do not come into direct), squash and lacrosse games were also included in the Los Angeles Games.
VOA reported the five sports had already been given the nod by the powerful IOC Executive Board last week, with the session on Monday approving its recommendation.
All five sports were voted in as a single package with two “no” votes from about 90 IOC members in the room.
The LA Games proposal is for a six-team Twenty20 cricket tournament for men and women but the final number of squads and selection conditions have not been decided yet.
Cricket was included in the Olympic Games for the first time in 1900, but was withdrawn later.
The decision to include cricket in the Olympics has been called an economic step and it is expected that teams like India and Pakistan will lead to the expansion of the Olympics in the South Asian market.
International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay commented: "We are thrilled that cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games has been confirmed …
“To have the opportunity to showcase our great sport at the LA28 Games and hopefully many Olympic Games to come will be great for players and fans alike.”
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