Cricket in Asian Games 2010

Cricket will get another boost as it has been decided ‘the game’ to be included as a major discipline in the upcoming 2010 Asian Games. China is going to host the sporting event from November 12 to 27, 2010.

The inclusion of cricket in any major world sporting events has been in discussion with no such yielding result, but this time the Asian Games is ready to embrace the shorter and the entertaining version of the game Twenty20 cricket.

Along with cricket there will be some other new entries like dance sports, dragon boat and roller sports. As many as 45 countries will compete in 42 various sports disciplines during the 16th edition of Asian Games, which will be held Guangzhou, China.

As far as cricket is concerned, it was last seen at a major multi sport event in 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but was removed from the next two editions in England and Australia.

The growing popularity of cricket, especially the shorter version of the game has added a new dimension and possibilities to sports and entertainment. Moreover, the South Asian countries other than the traditional cricket playing nations (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan) are also promoting cricket in their respective countries.

Held in every four years, the first Asian Games was held in New Delhi in 1951 and the latest edition in Guangzhou will be the sixteenth Games. China is hosting the event for the second time after Beijing in 1990.

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Deputy Director Marketing for the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC) Yuan Yui, said that cricket would also be played in the 2010 Asian Games as a major discipline, besides other new entries like dance sports, dragon boat and roller sports.

Yui announced that Cocachin boat and its ground convey left last month on the Asian continent tour to create awareness among the people of the region about the gala games, The Nation reported.

She was speaking at a ceremony aimed to launch awareness campaign for the games "The Road to Asia" in Islamabad.

Pakistan's Sports Minister Aftab Hussain Jilani and President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt. General (retired) Syed Arif Hasan were also present on this occasion.

Speaking on this eve, Jillani said that Pakistan would fully cooperate with China in successful organisation of the Asian Games. He said that Pakistan would play a partner's role in making this event a success.