CWI Advocates for Cricket’s Inclusion in the Pan American Games

A high-level delegation, spearheaded by Dr. Kishore Shallow, president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), and Keith Joseph, president of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), embarked on a significant mission to Lima, Peru, from February 21st to 23rd, 2024. The primary objective of this visit was to lay the groundwork for cricket’s inclusion in the 2027 Pan American Games, a prestigious multi-sport event that brings together athletes from across the Americas. The delegation engaged in strategic discussions with key stakeholders, including the leadership of the Peruvian Olympic Committee (POC), and explored avenues for international collaboration to advance cricket’s development in the region. This visit marked a crucial step towards achieving the shared ambition of showcasing cricket on a prominent platform and expanding its reach within the Americas.

The discussions in Lima focused on several key areas crucial for the successful integration of cricket into the Pan American Games. The delegation emphasized the importance of developing robust cricketing infrastructure in Peru, creating collaborative training programs for athletes, and establishing exchange initiatives to foster expertise and knowledge sharing within the region. They explored strategies for capacity building and sustainable growth, aiming to ensure that cricket is well-prepared and effectively positioned for its potential debut in the 2027 Games. The collaborative approach undertaken by CWI and CANOC underscores their commitment to working closely with Peru and other regional partners to achieve this significant milestone.

The involvement of Cricket West Indies, a cricketing powerhouse with a rich history and global influence, was deemed pivotal to the success of this initiative. Keith Joseph, president of CANOC, highlighted the immense value that CWI brings to the table, emphasizing the global impact of West Indies cricket and its potential to inspire and elevate the sport in the Americas. This partnership, facilitated by CANOC, aims to leverage the expertise and resources of CWI to support cricket’s development in Peru and enhance its prospects for inclusion in the Pan American Games. The preliminary engagement signifies a substantial step forward in realizing the shared vision of showcasing cricket on this major sporting stage.

Dr. Kishore Shallow expressed unwavering optimism about the outcomes of the discussions, emphasizing the alignment of this initiative with CWI’s strategic plan for 2024-2027. He underlined the importance of expanding cricket’s market reach and accessing new developmental opportunities as key priorities for CWI. Peru, with its burgeoning cricketing landscape, presents a promising prospect for collaboration, offering mutual benefits for both CWI and the Peruvian cricketing community. This partnership aligns seamlessly with CWI’s broader vision of fostering the growth of cricket globally and exploring new avenues for the sport’s advancement.

Dr. Shallow further reiterated CWI’s enthusiastic support for cricket’s inclusion in the Pan American Games, viewing it not only as a landmark achievement in itself but also as a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games. He affirmed CWI’s unwavering commitment and preparedness to play a central role in bringing this vision to fruition, demonstrating their dedication to expanding the sport’s global footprint. The potential inclusion of cricket in both the Pan American Games and the Olympics signifies a momentous opportunity to elevate the sport to new heights and introduce it to a wider audience.

The collaboration with Peru, as highlighted in a release by CWI, represents a crucial step towards strengthening ties between the Caribbean and South America, paving the way for cricket’s inclusion in one of the region’s most prominent sporting events. This partnership symbolizes a significant milestone in the broader effort to expand the reach and influence of cricket in the Americas. With continued collaboration, strategic investment, and meticulous planning, the shared dream of witnessing cricket at the 2027 Pan American Games, and eventually at the 2028 Olympic Games, is steadily moving closer to becoming a reality. This initiative signifies a landmark opportunity to showcase the dynamism and excitement of cricket to a new generation of fans and athletes, further solidifying its place on the global sporting stage.