While the selection criteria for the LA28 Olympics in cricket has not been decided as yet, what we do know is that it will be a six-team competition for men and women. It was only in October that cricket was included in the Olympic setup after a gap of 120 years, and already, Afghanistan’s chances of playing at the event are in jeopardy.
As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, where the problem lies is, the LA28 organisers believe in gender equality, and the new regime in Afghanistan, the Taliban has forced the women’s cricket team in the country, to live in exile. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice went on to say that the war-torn nation’s participation at LA28 lies in the hands of the International Olympic Council, and not the ICC.
“(In) the Olympic competition teams are fielded by the National Olympic Committees of those countries,” Allardice told the BBC’s Stumped podcast. “As an international sporting federation, we position our sport with the LA28 organisers for inclusion. And the IOC and they (LA28) have included cricket.
“In terms of the position of the National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan, it’s probably something for the IOC to be able to address more accurately than me. But I know that they (IOC) have been following the progress of the developments there. Our position on cricket and supporting our member in Afghanistan is not dissimilar to those of other international sporting organisations.”
It is also learned through the report, that the IOC has already intimated to the Taliban that their National Olympic Committee could be suspended if women’s sports are not promoted. Meanwhile, Allardice went on to remind everyone of the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s commitment to develop women’s cricket, when they were awarded ICC’s full membership in 2017.
“They were in the process of doing that through to 2021,” Allardice said. “And in 2021 the regime in the country changed and brought in rules, and laws that prohibit women from playing sports in the country. We have spoken with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their position is that they have to operate within the laws of the country and the rules set by the government.”
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