New Delhi, March 15: ICC Chairman Jay Shah indicated on Sunday that India is set to host the 2036 Olympics. Speaking at the National Conference of the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI), he emphasized the need for thorough preparation for this major sporting event.
Shah stated, “As you all know, during my time with the BCCI, I prepared for events up to 2028. Fortunately, I achieved good results. However, the BCCI team is here. You all need to prepare for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. You must also gear up for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and as you know, the 2036 Olympics will be hosted here. You should start preparing for that as well.”
Having transitioned from BCCI Secretary to ICC Chairman in 2024, Shah took this opportunity to discuss a transformative period for Indian cricket from 2019 to 2026. He remarked, “The time from 2019 to 2026 has been crucial for both the BCCI and India. Today, I congratulate everyone. We have won two Under-19 Women’s World Cup titles and two Under-19 Men’s World Cups. We were runners-up in the World Test Championship twice and in the Men’s ODI World Cup, while winning the Women’s ODI World Cup. We have also claimed the T20 World Cup twice and the Champions Trophy. This period has been golden for all of us, and you all played a significant role in it.”
Shah also praised India’s outstanding performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and congratulated other teams for their remarkable displays. He said, “The T20 World Cup has just concluded. India’s performance was exceptional, and I congratulate the entire Indian team. Additionally, England and South Africa remained unbeaten until the semifinals, and I commend them as well. New Zealand’s team showed great spirit in defeating South Africa to reach the finals, and we congratulate them for their efforts.”
The ICC Chairman specifically acknowledged the associate nations that elevated the tournament’s stature with their impressive performances. He noted, “The T20 World Cup 2026 was significant for associate countries. India won the World Cup, but as you know, we almost lost to the USA. The Netherlands was on the verge of defeating Pakistan. Nepal gave England a tough fight, and Zimbabwe achieved a remarkable victory against Australia. Therefore, I want to thank all associate nations for enhancing the excitement of the World Cup with their strong performances.”
Shah also reminded everyone that March 15 marks the 25th anniversary of India’s historic Test match victory at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He said, “As you all know, today is March 15. Although I was a bit late to remind you, I want to recall the Test match played from March 11 to 15, 2001, in Kolkata, which we won by 276 runs. VVS Laxman scored 281 runs, and Rahul Dravid contributed 180 runs. Thanks to their efforts, we won a match that seemed to slip away at one point. This is why March 15 is a very special day for us.”
Leave a Comment