The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has confirmed that cricket will again be part of the Asian Games, set for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026. This marks the fourth occasion cricket is included, with the event slated for September 19 to October 4. While the Aichi Prefecture will host the matches, specific venues have yet to be determined.
Cricket’s place in the event lineup was decided during the 41st AINAGOC Board meeting at Nagoya City Hall on April 28, with Mixed Martial Arts also getting the nod. As the OCA stated, “The latest development in the compilation of the sports programme came at the 41st meeting.”
Previously included in the 2010 and 2014 Games in Guangzhou and Incheon respectively, cricket did not enjoy international status at those times. When reintroduced at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the matches were recognised as T20 internationals.
Reflecting on the 2023 Games, India’s men and women secured gold, with the men’s team defeating Afghanistan and Bangladesh securing bronze. The women’s competition saw Sri Lanka take silver, while Bangladesh again took bronze. Other participating countries across the categories included Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Looking ahead, T20 cricket will feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with both men’s and women’s tournaments accommodating six teams each. However, details on the qualification process remain to be announced.
While the road to Japan looks promising for cricket enthusiasts, it’s the exhilarating scope of the sport’s inclusion and the opportunities it offers to nations that adds true excitement.
