Perfect Time and Perfect Place, Says IOC Member Nita Ambani on Cricket’s Inclusion in LA Olympics

The historic decision to include cricket in the programme for 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will deepen engagement with not only 1.4 billion Indians, but all the South Asian countries, IOC member Nita Ambani said on Monday.

“I am a huge cricket fan. I completely welcome this historic decision,” she said shortly after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to include cricket in the LA Games.

The decision is special for several reasons. It comes during the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 being hosted by India and has been made at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai which marks the return of the prestigious gathering to India after a gap of 40 years.

Asked about the discussions going on within the IOC for the past few months over the inclusion of cricket, Nita Ambani said: “There are always deliberations, discussions, positives, negatives that go with every dialogue. But eventually, after two years, the day has come where cricket has become an Olympic sport.”

“It is such a perfect time and perfect place. We have the World Cup happening in India and the cricket decision also happening in India. So everything has come together in a very good way… I think it’s a very significant moment. We have 250 million children in schools. And this is going to shape their sporting dreams,” she said.

Earlier on Monday, in a statement, Nita Ambani had said: “As an IOC member, a proud Indian, and an ardent cricket fan, I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include Cricket as an Olympic Sport in the LA Summer Olympics 2028!… Cricket is one of the most loved sports globally, and the second most watched. For 1.4 billion Indians, cricket is not just a sport, it’s a passion!”

Besides cricket, which will be played in the T20 format, the other sports approved by the IOC during its 141st session were squash, baseball/softball, lacrosse and flag football.

IOC president Thomas Bach made the announcement of cricket’s inclusion along with other sports after the recommendation of the Executive Board was put to vote through raise of hands.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the game’s governing body, said it was delighted at the announcement. “The addition of cricket in the Olympics, for the first time since 1900, concludes a two-year process, in which the ICC worked extensively to develop an exciting proposal that supports the Olympic values and LA28’s mission to create an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and the local community,” said the ICC in a statement.