BCCI should support cricket in Olympics: MCC

The prestigious MCC World Cricket Committee has  urged the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to support cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics.

The committee, comprising legends such as Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara along with current Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan, believes that BCCI should not act as a barrier in getting the sport inducted in the quadrennial extravaganza. “The game’s application to become an Olympic sport is gathering momentum and that the only remaining barrier is India’s reluctance to proceed,” an MCC press release stated.

“The committee has long been a supporter of T20 cricket being included in the Olympics, believing it being the single biggest step the game could take to unlock worldwide government funding and aid its global development,” it further stated.

MCC wants cricket to be included in the 2024 Paris Olympics. “For cricket to thrive in future generations, new countries must be introduced to the sport; playing cricket in the Olympics is the best way to achieve this objective.

“With plans for the 2024 Games well advanced, the committee urges India to unite with the rest of the world game and lobby the International Olympic Committee for the inclusion of T20 cricket in the Olympics, ideally in Paris,” the committee said.