Commonwealth Games 2022
‘I’m sure cricket will be a star attraction’- Apex Cricket Body CEO Geoff Allardice on cricket’s inclusion in CWG 2022
India’s women’s team plays their first match against Australia on July 29th.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games is ready to entertain billions of fans across the globe. With the opening ceremony just hours away, there is a lot of intrigue from Indian fans about the upcoming global event. India has been doing well in the past decade or so, with this year expected to bring another jump in the medal’s tally.
This edition’s Commonwealth Games is different more so due to the inclusion of Women’s Cricket for the very first time in the multi-sport event. Cricket has historically been only included once in Commonwealth and that too 24 years ago. That was, however, men’s cricket which enjoys much more popularity on the global stage. The inclusion of Women’s cricket in CWG 2022 has put a great honour on the sport and good things are expected from this move.
The Apex Cricket Body’s aim to grow women’s cricket hinges on the Women’s T20I tournament at the Commonwealth Games, this year. Speaking of the same Geoff Allardice, CEO of the Governing body of International Cricket said, “Putting cricket in multi-sport games is good for the growth of the game. It gives a lot of the member countries a seat in the top table of sport organisation within their country. The coverage of these games may not have been for traditional cricket audiences. That is one of the opportunities with CWG to reach new audiences.”
While Men’s cricket continues to do well in terms of revenue generation, women’s cricket has the opportunity to lead the sport in global events.
“The quality of our top women’s events has been outstanding the last five years. We heard from a number of captains last night, they are very excited to be around athletes from other sports. I am sure cricket will be a star attraction as we move forward without ambitions to be part of more multi-sport events”, added Allardice.
Allardice has also hinted at Women’s cricket inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics as the “decision is due next year.” He concluded by assuring that fans “will find a very solid calendar for women’s international cricket” in the coming years.
