As cricket gears up for its grand return to the Olympic stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, a passionate plea has emerged from the Caribbean. Cricket West Indies (CWI), the governing body representing one of the sport’s most unique international teams, has officially written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding that the structure of West Indies cricket be fairly and thoughtfully accommodated in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The current Olympic framework would exclude the unified West Indies Men’s and Women’s teams—despite their historic presence in international cricket and the Olympic heritage of their member nations. With the 2028 Games set to feature a six-team T20 competition for both men and women, and 90 player spots available, the omission of West Indies cricket threatens to sideline an entire region that has consistently contributed to the sport’s rich legacy.
In their detailed submission, CWI outlined two realistic and inclusive qualification pathways aimed at ensuring Caribbean representation. First, if the West Indies qualify through ICC rankings, an internal tournament among its Olympic-affiliated member nations would determine which country gets to participate. Alternatively, a global qualification route could be designed to include both associate ICC members from the five ICC Development Regions and the eligible member nations of the West Indies.
This appeal is deeply rooted in the principles of the Olympic Charter. CWI invoked the Byelaw to Rule 40, which mandates that qualification rules must uphold fairness, transparency, and universality—principles that resonate with the very heart of Olympic competition.
Introducing the voice behind the movement, President of CWI, Dr. Kishore Shallow, expressed the sentiment of a region longing for representation, “The Caribbean has always punched above its weight at the Olympics, inspiring the world with our athletic brilliance.
“Cricket’s return to the Games in 2028 must not exclude our young cricketers from the same dream that has inspired our athletes. The Olympic Charter emphasizes fairness, transparency, and universality. We are simply asking that these principles be upheld—not just in spirit, but in structure. West Indies cricket must have a pathway and fully deserve an opportunity to compete.”
The concern stems from the Olympic model that recognizes only sovereign nations. This framework complicates the participation of the West Indies cricket teams, which are uniquely composed of 15 independent countries and territories that field a single cricket team but compete individually at the Olympics.
Dr. Shallow’s call for equitable inclusion was echoed by CWI Chief Executive Officer, Chris Dehring, who underscored the historical importance and Olympic contributions of Caribbean nations, “All we are asking is that our individual nations’ exceptional Olympic legacy be considered in the conversation.
“The structure of West Indies cricket is unique— men and women teams representing 15 individual nations and territories, each with its own Olympic identity. We cannot let this once-in-a-generation opportunity for national development pass without creating a way for our countries to participate. The spirit of the Olympic Games that we have played an important global role in fostering, demands nothing less.”
Adding a deeper emotional appeal, Dehring continued with a statement that resonates beyond sport, highlighting the pride and tradition of Caribbean nations on the Olympic podium, “Our nations—have proudly flown their individual flags atop Olympic podiums as perennial gold medalists. Now, with cricket’s inclusion, we must ensure that our cricketers are not shut out of history. We are ready to collaborate. We are ready to compete. But above all, we are asking for fairness.”
The call for collaboration, fairness, and forward-thinking comes at a pivotal time in cricket’s global journey. The sport first appeared in the Olympics in 1900, in Paris, where Great Britain claimed the only gold medal awarded for cricket. More than a century later, its return to the Olympics is not merely symbolic—it marks the growing footprint of cricket as a truly global game.
Recent multi-sport events have only amplified this narrative. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, women’s cricket debuted with Australia clinching gold and India securing silver. Notably, West Indies did not compete as a team; instead, Barbados represented the region.
In a similar scenario, England—if they qualify—will most likely represent Great Britain, consistent with Olympic convention. This paves the way for the inclusion of Scottish players like Brandon McMullen or Sarah and Kathryn Bryce. Preliminary discussions have taken place between the ECB and Cricket Scotland regarding a unified Team GB cricket squad. Cricket Scotland is advocating for meaningful involvement in team operations and contributions of both players and staff, although the ECB will remain the designated governing body for the Olympic cricket teams.
Now, with the Olympic spotlight turning back to cricket, West Indies is fighting for more than just a place on the field—it’s fighting for a fair system that acknowledges its identity and honors the sporting dreams of its youth.
(Quotes sourced from Windies Cricket Media Release)
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