Los Angeles, July 2: ICC Chairman Jay Shah has hailed the inauguration of the LA Knight Riders cricket ground in Los Angeles as a significant step in the global expansion of cricket. He described it as “a crucial milestone” for the sport’s return to the Olympic Games.
The state-of-the-art stadium, developed by the Knight Riders Group, hosted its first Major League Cricket (MLC) match on Wednesday, featuring the Los Angeles Knight Riders against Washington Freedom. This makes the franchise the first global cricket brand to establish an international-standard cricket stadium.
Congratulating Bollywood superstar and co-owner of the Knight Riders Group, Shah emphasized that this initiative will play a vital role in expanding cricket in emerging markets.
On the social media platform X, Shah wrote, “Congratulations, Shah Rukh Khan. This is a significant milestone towards cricket’s return to the Olympics, made possible through the collaboration of LA Knight Riders, LA28, and the ICC.”
He noted that the continuous global growth of cricket relies on the collective efforts of everyone involved in the sport.
Shah stated, “Promoting cricket worldwide is a collective endeavor. Initiatives like this create new ecosystems for fans and players, fostering this growth. I wish you all the best and look forward to joining you on this journey.”
Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan celebrated this historic achievement, describing the stadium’s inauguration as the realization of a long-held dream.
In a post on X, Shah Rukh said, “What began as a dream has now become a reality. Welcome to the LA Knight Riders cricket ground. This place is designed not just for sports, but for entertainment and families, creating memories that will last forever. Special thanks to Jay Bhai for being so helpful on this journey, as well as to the ICC and Sanjog Gupta for their tremendous support. This is for LA, cricket fans worldwide, and the Knight Riders family. Trust in purple and gold. Welcome to the home ground of the LA Knight Riders.”
The Knight Riders cricket ground, built to international standards, represents a significant investment in cricket infrastructure in the United States. Besides hosting Major League Cricket matches, this venue is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the sport’s reach in North America, especially ahead of cricket’s return to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Leave a Comment