5 instances when cricket was part of a multi-sport event
Cricket may be a popular game in the major countries that it is played in but it is yet to find its footing as a global sport. One of the biggest ways in which the game can be expanded is by including in some of the biggest multiple-sport events such as the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games among others.
The inclusion of cricket in the 2024 Olympics is a matter which has been discussed at length in the ongoing ICC board meeting and there is hope that it may indeed happen. However, it is not that cricket has not featured in any such event before this. In fact, there have been quite a few instances of this occurring in the past.
Here are 5 occasions when cricket was part of a multiple-sport event:
5. 2015 Pacific Games, Port Moresby
Quite surprisingly, cricket has been a regular feature at the Pacific Games, which includes countries from the South Pacific. After making an appearance in the 1979, 1987 and 1991 events, the sport returned to the Pacific Games roster in the year 2003 and has been a regular part of it ever since.
The most recent instance of cricket being included in the event took place just last year and both men and women had separate tournaments. In the men’s division, it was Vanuatu who emerged as the gold medalists after beating Papua New Guinea in the final whereas Samoa won the women’s gold.