IOC to look into support for women’s cricket in Afghanistan ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games

T20 cricket being added to the Olympic Games has probably been one of the biggest news stories going around in the community currently. The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, or LA28, will have T20 cricket as one of its sports after the members of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) voted in favour of T20 cricket being added to the prestigious event. 

However, one of the biggest talking points ahead of LA28 has been whether the IOC will permit Afghanistan's men’s team to participate in the event without their female counterparts. Gender equality has been one of the biggest points that have been emphasised in the past, and to ensure a safe passageway for Afghanistan’s women’s team into the game, the IOC president came forward to state that they will be monitoring how much support the women’s team gets in the war-torn country.

It is worth noting that the IOC has yet to clear Afghanistan athletes from competing in the Olympic Games, and the same will remain the case until a solution for female participation can be found. James Macleod, IOC head of Olympic Solidarity and National Olympic Committee Relations, was of a similar opinion.

"We have had ongoing conversations and discussions with the Afghan government authorities since that regime change, and we've been insisting on removing existing barriers from the government that hinder women and young girls from accessing sport opportunities in the country. The IOC executive board took a very clear position on this in December 2022, and we have reiterated that position with the government authorities on numerous occasions, including last week, where we met the new Director of Sport and Physical Education to reiterate the IOC's position on that,” James Macleod was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

We are keeping a close eye on this: Thomas Bach

Speaking of the same, the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, took centre stage and talked of Afghanistan’s female contingent’s participation in the Asian Games 2023. He opined that an Afghanistan NOC could greatly determine the IOC’s stance on cricket in LA28.

“We are keeping a close eye on this. And we have also been encouraged by our member in Afghanistan, Sameera Ashghari, to continue our support for female athletes and their entourage in Afghanistan and for the ones who are not living in Afghanistan,” Thomas Bach said.