ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has issued an emphatic name to the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) and the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) to make sure that Caribbean nations will not be locked out of cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympic Video games in Los Angeles 2028.
In a proper submission to the ICC, CWI introduced two sensible and inclusive pathways to qualification—designed particularly to mirror the Caribbean’s distinctive sporting construction and proud Olympic heritage. On the coronary heart of the attraction is a robust demand: don’t deny West Indies cricketers the prospect to dream on sport’s grandest world stage.
A legacy price defending
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow underscored the urgency and ethical readability of the problem, reminding the worldwide sporting group of the Caribbean’s constant excellence on the Olympic stage.
“The Caribbean has all the time punched above its weight on the Olympics, inspiring the world with our athletic brilliance. Cricket’s return to the Video games in 2028 should not exclude our younger cricketers from the identical dream that has impressed our athletes. The Olympic Constitution emphasizes equity, transparency, and universality. We’re merely asking that these ideas be upheld—not simply in spirit, however in construction. West Indies cricket will need to have a pathway, and absolutely deserves a chance to compete.”
Cricket’s Olympic comeback should not depart the Caribbean behind
Below present Olympic eligibility guidelines, the West Indies—comprising 15 nations and territories united below one cricketing flag—can be disqualified from collaborating, regardless of a lot of its member international locations having vibrant Olympic histories and medal-winning traditions.
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To treatment this, CWI proposed two clear choices:
· Choice 1: If staff rankings decide qualification and West Indies groups make the lower, then a regional playoff amongst CWI’s Olympic-affiliated nations would resolve who represents the Caribbean on the Video games.
· Choice 2: A worldwide qualification match together with groups from the ICC’s 5 growth areas, plus CWI member nations, providing an equitable path to the Olympic stage.
These proposals, CWI argues, are firmly grounded within the Olympic Constitution’s Bye-law to Rule 40, which mandates that each one qualification programs be “honest and clear” and uphold the Motion’s values of common illustration and equal entry.
A singular construction, a united plea
CWI CEO Chris Dehring passionately bolstered the distinct nature of West Indies cricket and the once-in-a-lifetime significance of this second:
“All we’re asking is that our particular person nations’ distinctive Olympic legacy be thought-about within the dialog. The construction of West Indies cricket is exclusive—women and men groups representing 15 particular person nations and territories, every with its personal Olympic identification. We can not let this once-in-a-generation alternative for nationwide growth cross with out making a manner for our international locations to take part. The spirit of the Olympic Video games that we have now performed an vital world position in fostering, calls for nothing much less.”
“Our nations have proudly flown their particular person flags atop Olympic podiums as perennial gold medalists. Now, with cricket’s inclusion, we should be sure that our cricketers will not be shut out of historical past. We’re able to collaborate. We’re able to compete. However above all, we’re asking for equity.”
Able to collaborate, desirous to compete
Cricket West Indies has made it clear: this isn’t a protest, however a proposition—one which requires constructive, forward-thinking options to protect Olympic integrity and Caribbean alternative. The board reiterated its willingness to work carefully with world governing our bodies to form a pathway that honors each cricket’s traditions and the Olympic ethos.
CWI’s stance is not only a couple of match; it’s about justice, entry, and honoring a area that has gifted the Olympic world with legends. As cricket rejoins the Olympic household in 2028, the West Indies is set to not be left on the sidelines of historical past.
