Nita Ambani believes that incorporating cricket into the Olympics will foster stronger participation within the Olympic Movement

On October 16th in Mumbai, Nita M. Ambani, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the founder chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the inclusion of cricket in the sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She deemed this addition as a positive development that could generate fresh interest and opportunities for the Olympic movement, particularly in unexplored regions worldwide.

The formal ratification of cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics occurred during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, following the endorsement by LA28. This IOC session marked a historic return to India, taking place there for only the second time in 40 years.

As an IOC member, a proud Indian, and a passionate cricket enthusiast, Nita Ambani expressed her joy at the IOC’s decision to include cricket as an Olympic sport in the 2028 LA Summer Olympics. She emphasized the global adoration for cricket, making it the second most-watched sport and a veritable religion for 1.4 billion Indians.

This significant decision to include cricket in the Olympics was made in the heartland of the sport, India, further amplifying the importance of the occasion. Nita Ambani hoped that this move would elevate cricket’s worldwide appeal, fostering deeper engagement for the Olympic Movement in previously untapped regions and contributing to cricket’s growing international popularity.

As the first Indian woman to become an IOC member, Nita M. Ambani celebrated the day as a momentous one for India. She expressed her gratitude to the IOC and the LA Organizing Committee for their support of this groundbreaking decision, marking it as a day of immense joy and celebration.

Notably, cricket had previously made a sole appearance in the Olympics in 1900, with only two teams participating.