Cricket’s Olympic Inclusion Paves the Way for Newcomers, Says USA Cricket Chairman Venu Pisike
Venu Pisike Predicts a Bright Future for Cricket in the USA with Olympic Inclusion
The United States showcased a remarkable performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, pulling off a stunning victory against Pakistan and giving a tough fight to India. Hosting an ICC event for the first time, the response in the USA was overwhelmingly positive, according to board officials. Now, with cricket set to be included in the next edition of the Olympics, USA Cricket Board Chairman Venu Pisike sees a clear and promising path for the sport’s growth in the country.
Olympics: A Game-Changer for Cricket in the USA
Venu Pisike, an Indian-origin chairman hailing from Nalgonda, envisions cricket becoming the second biggest market in the USA, following India. Traditionally seen as a game played by expats and immigrants, cricket is now capturing the interest of even baseball enthusiasts in the country, thanks to the success of the recent World Cup.
“In order to grow the sport in the US, it requires a lot of tools. You need to show a career path and opportunities. One step in making cricket a professional sport is with the Olympics and the recent World Cup. With the game’s inclusion in the Olympics, it gives a clear path to any newcomer,” Pisike stated.
The chairman also highlighted that California has already integrated cricket into its school system, marking a significant boost for grassroots development. Pisike is optimistic that, with four years until the Olympics, the USA will overcome challenges in infrastructure and facilities, setting the stage for a cricketing boom.
Cricket Fever Hits the USA
The USA’s journey to the Super 8 stages of the T20 World Cup 2024 was nothing short of astonishing, especially for a team without even an associate nation tag. Saurabh Netravalkar became a household name after his match-winning performance against Pakistan, and his background as a former India U-19 player added to the excitement. The American media diligently covered these developments throughout the tournament, generating a buzz that reached even government officials and diplomats.
“Our performance in the T20 World Cup, reaching the Super 8 and defeating Pakistan in a league match, really helped. It created a lot of interest and impact in the community. Most of the media, even government officials, diplomats, everybody is talking about cricket,” Pisike concluded.
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