Twenty20 Pushing for Commonwealth Games Inclusion

It has been revealed that there is set to be a new push to get Twenty20 cricket into the Commonwealth Games with the sport having featured at the event just once, in a 50 over format.

Cricket was part of the 1998 event in Malaysia where a strong Australian side led by Steve Waugh were beaten in the final by South Africa, whose hero was Shaun Pollock with four wickets.

There were plans to include a Twenty20 tournament in New Delhi last year but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opposed the idea, although it did make its debut at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have now backed plans for it to be included in their event, possibly starting in 2018 when the event will be held in either the Gold Coast or Hambantota. 

Prince Tunku Imran, the vice-president of the CGF and chairman of the organisation’s Sports Review Committee, stated: “It is fundamental that our sports programme continues to evolve in such a way as to sustain the Commonwealth Games as one of the world’s leading multi-sport events.

“Given cricket’s strong association with the Commonwealth, the CGF will have further dialogue with the ICC (International Cricket Council) as to the possibility of Twenty20 cricket being included as an option for future editions of the Games.”

The Sports Review Committee have also recommended that beach volleyball be upgraded to a category two sport for future Games, meaning the host city in 2018 and those beyond will have the opportunity to include it on their programmes.

Rugby league also made a push for inclusion, and while the sport will not join beach volleyball as a category two sport at this stage, it has won support from the CGF’s Executive Board for inclusion as a category three sport, the first step toward its presence at future Games.

Tunku added: “Category three sports are those that we recognise as working towards future inclusion.

“We are very pleased to see the high level of commitment by the Rugby League International Federation to further develop the sport across the Commonwealth. 

“It is a key criteria that any sport on our programme is played widely across as many of our member nations as possible.”

The final decision on the future of the sports programme will be made by the 71 members of the CGF when they meet at their Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis in November.