Only the best should showcase cricket in Olympics return at LA 2028
Cricket will return to the Olympics after 128 years at the 2028 Games and the popular view is only the best teams should showcase the game in Los Angeles, even if it means leaving out hosts the United States.
Both the men's and women's competitions will be a six-team contest in the 20-overs format when cricket is played in the Olympics for the first time since 1900.
The International Cricket Council is yet to announce the qualification format but is likely to pick the top six teams in the official rankings at a cut-off date.
The US rank 17th in the men's list and 24th in the women's, which make their position untenable in the cricket competitions of their home Olympics.
"I'd love an associate member to get in there but let's be realistic," Sumod Damodar, who represents associate members like the U.S. in the ICC Chief Executives' Committee, told Reuters.
"Should the US get an automatic place? I'll say let's put the best that we can on show.
"We're coming back into the Olympics after 128 years. We need to make that impressions so that people will say, 'Okay, we don't want them to go back and beg 'please include us' before every Olympics'.
"Like track and field, we need to become a regular Olympic fixture. We need to show them that this product is worth it."
With Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics and India bidding for the 2036 Games, Botswana cricket chief Damodar hoped cricket will feature in the next three Olympics and beyond.
"We need to send the best six teams to showcase our game from the perspective of what it has in store for us, for the public, and the spectators in the future Olympic Games," he said.
Damodar added the ICC should announce a cut-off date sometime next year giving all members enough time to improve their rankings.
USA Cricket did not reply to a Reuters email seeking its view but Sanjay Govil, who owns the Washington Freedom franchise in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US, also said only the best should represent cricket at Los Angeles.
"It should be based on merit, because we also want to make sure that it's competitive, right?" Govil told Reuters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
6 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Fuelling a new era in sports broadcasting
Global media tech giant NEP Group recently unveiled its first large-scale IP-based OB trucks for the Middle East. Speaking exclusively to Vijaya Cherian, senior executives highlight how these agile machines, powered by NEP's broadcast platform, are set to revolutionise the region's content production industry. A veteran in live production, NEP has powered the broadcast infrastructure for some of the world's most iconic events, including the Olympics, the World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL). With more than 150 OB vehicles supporting sports, entertainment, news and other major productions and events in the Americas, Europe and Australia, NEP boasts the largest OB fleet in the industry. This February, the group unveiled its first large-scale OB vehicle in the Middle East. The ME-01 OB truck made its debut at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov, the first UFC event ever held in Saudi Arabia. 'Our use of the new ME01 OB unit for UFC Saudi Arabia elevated our production capabilities, delivering the same top-tier innovation and engineering we've come to expect from NEP worldwide. Now that level of excellence is accessible locally in one of the fastest-growing production markets in the world,' says Greg Louw, Director of Technical Operations for the UFC. ME-01 went on to support the production of the Saudi Cup and Power Slap 11 championships in Riyadh, as well as the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four event in Abu Dhabi. ME-01's launch was bolstered by the unveiling of ME-02, NEP's second state-of-the-art IP unit for the region, at CABSAT 2025. Although the trucks are designed for the Middle East, their manufacture is the result of extensive collaboration between NEP's teams in Australia, Europe and the Middle East. 'For NEP, these trucks are truly a labour of love. Our CTOs from three continents contributed years of operational insights to elevate ME-01 and ME-02 into hallmarks of NEP's next-generation OB fleet,' explains Marc Segar, Chief Technology Officer for NEP Australia, New Zealand and Japan, who led the project. 'It's this spirit of collaboration that makes these OBs truly amazing.' For Louw, NEP's expansion into the region marks a pivotal moment in content production. 'The Middle East is solidifying its status as a premier destination for global media projects. With two fully IP-based broadcast facilities now operating here, powered by NEP's TFC platform, it's a true game-changer for the region's production community.' Fabrication began in March 2024 when NEP acquired two purpose-built OB coaches from Tomassini Style in Perugia, Italy. 'The trucks underwent complete redesign to meet the needs of the Middle East market,' explains Segar. 'Environmental adaptations were made too – the air conditioning systems were upgraded to withstand the region's scorching summers. Within six months, the trucks were transported to the Middle East and were ready for commissioning. Each truck is 13.9m long and can be extended up to 16.4m when fully deployed. Comprising over 70sqm of operational space, the trucks can accommodate up to 30 production staff across six specialised zones: production gallery, replay, middle bench, audio, shading and engineering.' 'Purpose-built for live sports, entertainment and other largescale events,' notes Jean-Claude Rahme, CTO for NEP in the Middle East and Asia, 'the trucks are mirror images of each other in technical architecture. They are designed for consistency in operations and scalability based on the needs of a production. They represent the region's first fully IP-native broadcast facilities.' Both OB trucks use SMPTE ST 2110 broadcast facilities, with no baseband cabling except for the tailboard edges. Key hardware has been provided by Grass Valley, Cisco, Arkona, Manifold Technologies, EVS and Lawo. Features include 30 LDX-150 camera chains, seven EVS XT-VIA servers, multi-format support, a Grass Valley K-frame with Kayenne panel, LAWO audio consoles and an RTS intercom system. Notably, ME-01 and ME-02 are format- and frame rate-agnostic. TFC at the helm Beyond being fitted with advanced equipment, the twin units are powered by NEP's TFC (Total Facility Control) broadcast orchestration platform, which enables the seamless integration of hardware and software from multiple vendors into one interface, simplifying control, automating tasks and standardising workflows. 'TFC has been instrumental in simplifying the complexity of SMPTE ST 2110 and bringing the familiarity of baseband workflows into the IP domain,' says Segar. 'It's a powerful unifying platform that allows broadcasters to harness the full potential of IP without sacrificing usability or control.' Interestingly, TFC's creation was not a planned operational strategy. Rather, it was born out of necessity to solve the day-to-day operational challenges faced by the company's engineering team. In 2018, NEP's engineering team in Australia began working with SMPTE ST 2110. As early adopters of IP-based production, they faced two major challenges. While IP offered powerful flexibility, there was a clear gap in the number of broadcast engineers with deep IP expertise. Secondly, there was an absence of a comprehensive control system to facilitate the transition effectively. To address these issues, a dedicated team of NEP engineers began developing software that would make IP workflows as intuitive and manageable as traditional baseband systems, and enable engineers who were familiar with baseband to work confidently in an SMPTE ST 2110 environment without needing to become IP specialists. 'The early generation of the ST 2110 hardware had glitches,' says Segar. 'Our engineers started writing their own code to solve the issues and streamline workflows. This gradually grew into a full-fledged control platform. Today TFC powers all of NEP's operations globally, from OBs to connected production facilities.' NEP first deployed TFC as a managed service for Sky's F1 coverage for the 2019 season; soon it became the standard platform across NEP broadcast facilities and OBs globally. Over the next six years, TFC's capabilities grew and it emerged as the ideal solution to the challenges of deploying SMPTE ST 2110. TFC's flexibility is its USP. Technology-agnostic, it enables broadcasters to transition from baseband to IP at their own pace by supporting hybrid environments. The platform doesn't require any system upgrades and simply adapts to existing infrastructure. This seamless integration with minimal disruption delivers multiple benefits – from cost efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint due to minimal hardware waste, to enabling content producers to focus on creative output rather than technical system integration. TFC is also vendor-agnostic, allowing broadcasters to bring together a wide range of technologies within an IP-based broadcast environment. A web-based platform, it provides a simple touchscreen interface that enables operators, whether in an OB truck or a fixed facility, to easily manage and orchestrate all connected devices and systems, regardless of manufacturer. The platform is widely used across the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and is now available in the Middle East with the launch of the ME01 and ME-02 OBs. To date, TFC has been used in over one million productions globally, including the Paris Olympics, the World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Masters, the PGA Tour and Eurovision. Building a stronger presence Since the launch of ME-01 and ME-02, four other NEP trucks have been deployed in the region, three of them 4K/HDR capable. Additionally, NEP's pool of internationally deployed flypacks is available for regional broadcasters and producers. Last month, NEP provided the full range of media services for the Arab League Summit held in Baghdad. As NEP's first production in Iraq, it included the supply of OB trucks and speciality cameras. 'Broadcasters, rights holders and streamers continue to expand and enhance their projects in the Middle East, reaching new audiences with amazing live sports and entertainment content. And we're meeting them right here, supporting their productions with NEP's global ecosystem of media services and solutions,' says Mohammad Hammoud, Chief Commercial Officer for NEP Middle East and Asia. Much like its OB fleet, NEP's TFC platform has expanded its reach globally too. The software was initially only available on productions where NEP served as the media services provider, supporting events that had the group's OB units, centralised production facilities, cameras and other infrastructure. Other broadcasters, drawn by its advantages, soon began approaching NEP to integrate TFC into their own workflows. In response to growing demand, NEP announced at the 2025 NAB Show that TFC would now be available industrywide as a licensed software service. Despite TFC's ability to simplify complex broadcast systems, the search for qualified professionals remains a critical challenge. 'Finding staff with deep IP experience isn't unique to NEP or this region. It is a global and industry-wide issue,' remarks Segar. 'We have a very successful engineer apprentice programme at our global headquarters in Pittsburgh. We have set up a training academy in India and also run an internship programme in Singapore to create a talent pipeline for the industry.' NEP's significant investment in the Middle East is a testament to the region's growing significance on the global media map. With the use of new tech such as TFC, ME-01 and ME-02 in local productions, the region's media sector is poised to enter a new era of production.
Int'l Cricket Council
8 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Bangladesh appoint versatile all-rounder as ODI captain
'I believe in this group — we have the skills and the mindset to play fearless cricket. I want us to express ourselves confidently, stay committed, and keep playing with heart for the country.' The off-spinning all-rounder has previously captained Bangladesh in four ODIs in Shanto's absence. With 1617 runs and 110 wickets in 105 ODIs, Miraz is currently ranked No. 4 among ODI all-rounders in the ICC rankings. He is also part of an exclusive group of Bangladeshi cricketers, alongside Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan, to have completed the 1000 runs and 100 wickets double in the format. Earlier, the all-rounder was named as the vice-captain in Bangaldesh's Test squad for their first assignment of the next World Test Championship cycle next month in Sri Lanka.
The National
14 hours ago
- The National
Top 10 Middle East footballers to watch at the Club World Cup
The revamped and expanded Fifa Club World Cup may be the biggest chance yet for domestic teams to represent themselves on the global stage. But there will be plenty of national and regional pride at stake, too. Some of the leading players from the Mena region will be vying for attention at the competition in the United States, and they are not solely confined to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal or the UAE's Al Ain. Here is a selection of outstanding players from the region to look out for this summer. 1). Achraf Hakimi Club: Paris Saint-Germain National team: Morocco Slotted the opening goal in PSG's rout of Inter Milan in the Uefa Champions League final, and was eulogised by many observers as the best right-back in the world. Given's PSG's form, he might expect to go one better than the semi-final exit he managed with the Morocco national team in the Qatar World Cup. 2). Omar Marmoush Club: Manchester City National team: Egypt Scored 15 goals in 17 games in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt before being summoned to City in the January transfer window to try to breathe life into their ailing season. The form of the outgoing English champions did pick up after the arrival of their new Egyptian forward. They may have ended defeated in the FA Cup, but they could make up for that with a trophy in the US. 3). Ali Al Bulayhi Club: Al Hilal National team: Saudi Arabia Makes this list not so much for the merit of his defending as the fact his confrontations with star opponents are usually box office. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Son Hueng-min have all been on the receiving end of the Hilal centre-back's antics. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland had better be ready. 4). Soufiane Rahimi Club: Al Ain National team: Morocco Asia's MVP when he fired Al Ain to the AFC Champions League crown in 2024, and he then top-scored in the Olympics for Morocco, too. The Garden City club have fallen flat in the time since, going through three managers this season. Rahimi's form has coolled, too, but expect him to revel on the big stage in the US. 5). Mehdi Taremi Club: Inter Milan National team: Iran Cut a disconsolate figure as an unused substitute on the bench in Inter Milan's capitulation against PSG in the Uefa Champions League final. The striker, who has been central to Iran's march to World Cup qualification, will be itching to right some wrongs when Inter face Monterrey, Urawa Reds and River Plate. 6). Ramy Bensebaini Club: Borussia Dortmund National team: Algeria The Algerian defender has been deployed on the left side of a three-man defence as Dortmund closed out a largely disappointing season strongly, most notably with a big win away at Bayer Leverkusen. He might not be everybody's cup of tea: German great-turned-pundit Lothar Matthaus has been one outspoken critic. But Bensebaini is valued by his club and is said to have suitors that include Marseille. 7). Brahim Diaz Club: Real Madrid National team: Morocco The dual-national winger was born in Malaga, signed for the Manchester City academy age 16, and plays for Morocco at international level. He will be looking to aid Madrid's bid to complete a Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup double. 8). Salem Al Dawsari Club: Al Hilal National team: Saudi Arabia An Arabian Gulf great, as a legend of Hilal and the Saudi Arabia national team. His finest moment was his goal in their shock win over the eventual champions Argentina in the group phase of the Qatar World Cup. His celebrity has yet to extend too far beyond Asia, though. His one crack at broadening his horizons ended prematurely with an ill-fated loan spell with Villarreal in Spain in 2018. 9). Wessam Abou Ali Club: Al Ahly National team: Palestine Danish-born but proudly Palestinian, he also acknowledges he feels Egyptian now, given how well loved he has become since joining Al Ahly last year. The striker enjoyed an extraordinary 2024, moving from the Swedish lower leagues in January, then becoming the top scorer in Egypt, and contributing to the CAF Champions League win, which qualified Ahly for this tournament. 10). Oussama Idrissi Club: Pachuca National team: Morocco Netherlands-born and raised, but the tricky left-winger had had a good look around since. He represents Morocco at senior level – having previously played for the Dutch age-group sides – and has found his way to Mexico via Spain. He knows what success tastes like in cross-border club competition, too. Idrissi scored a fine goal as Pachuca beat Brazil's Botafogo to reach the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
