Cricket is all set to be one of the three new additional sports of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Birmingham.
Women’s T20 game, along with beach volleyball and Para-table tennis, has been proposed by the organizer and the approach has been accepted by the executive board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Shooting and archery were also the part of the proposal, but the board has decided to act against it.
Meanwhile, the final confirmation over the addition of the aforementioned sports will be dependent on a vote of the CGF's 71 member associations. As far as cricket is concerned, it was proposed through a joint bid of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As many as eight teams will participate and the games will be played at Edgbaston.
Speaking about the news, Former ICC chief executive David Richardson backed Birmingham as the hosts because, “23% of the city's residents have links to cricket-playing nations outside the United Kingdom”.
“If cricket were to be staged in these Games, we know every team competing would be guaranteed 'home' support. There's a ready-made audience and ready-made infrastructure in the local vicinity,” he added.
ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said in a press release: “We are absolutely delighted that women’s cricket has been nominated for inclusion in Birmingham 2022. I’d like to thank everyone at the CGF and Birmingham 2022 for the nomination and it would be a real honour to become part of the Commonwealth Games family.
“We are committed to accelerating the growth of the women’s game and breaking down barriers and gender stereotypes along the way. We share our ambition to deliver greater equality, fairness and opportunity in sport with the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“The platform of Birmingham 2022 will provide a springboard for women’s cricket and will inspire and engage young girls around the world to be part of this wonderful and inclusive sport.”
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara
