Image Source: SF&OC
[Saba Sports News] The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is eager to include cricket in the 2026 Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan, seeing it as a chance to promote the sport ahead of its return to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles after 128 years.
Cricket featured in the recent Hangzhou Games in China but was absent from the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. OCA’s acting president, Randhir Singh, confirmed their interest in incorporating cricket for the 2026 Games. However, finding a suitable venue in Japan poses a significant challenge.
The Japan Cricket Association suggested a stadium in Tochigi Prefecture, yet the OCA prefers a location closer to Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture’s capital, where the Games are set to occur. The final decision on the 2026 Games’ sports lineup will be made at the OCA General Assembly in April, with ongoing discussions between the OCA and the Asian Cricket Council to resolve the venue issue.