BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH cricket set to make its return at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Cricket West Indies (CWI) is actively lobbying for a pathway that allows the Caribbean region to participate, despite the team’s unique configuration which currently bars them from competing collectively under Olympic rules.
In a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), CWI called on the global governing body to raise with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the distinct structure of West Indies cricket—comprised of several sovereign nations and territories—and to advocate for fair inclusion in ongoing discussions about qualification for the 2028 Games.
Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of CWI, stressed the importance of inclusion and representation, noting that the Caribbean has, and continues to, punch above its weight at the Olympics, inspiring the world with athletic's brilliance.
"Cricket’s return to the Games in 2028 must not exclude our young cricketers from the same dream that has inspired our athletes. The Olympic Charter emphasizes fairness, transparency, and universality. We are simply asking that these principles be upheld—not just in spirit, but in structure. West Indies cricket must have a pathway, and fully deserve an opportunity to compete.”
Under current Olympic rules, the West Indies men’s and women’s teams are ineligible to compete as a combined entity. In light of this, CWI is proposing two options:
If global rankings are used for qualification, and West Indies teams meet the criteria, an internal qualifying tournament among CWI’s Olympic-affiliated member countries would determine which nation represents the region.
Alternatively, a global qualification system could be established that includes associate ICC members from the five ICC Development Regions, along with the Olympic-recognized countries that comprise the West Indies.
CWI’s letter references the Olympic Charter’s Bye-law to Rule 40, which mandates that qualification criteria be “fair and transparent,” and aligned with Olympic principles of universal representation, equal access, and the inclusion of the best athletes from every region.
CWI CEO Chris Dehring also emphasized the importance of the Caribbean’s Olympic history: “All we are asking is that our individual nations' exceptional Olympic legacy be considered in the conversation. The structure of West Indies cricket is unique— men and women teams representing 15 individual nations and territories, each with its own Olympic identity. We cannot let this once-in-a-generation opportunity for national development pass without creating a way for our countries to participate. The spirit of the Olympic Games that we have played an important global role in fostering, demands nothing less.”
CWI reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing dialogue with the ICC and welcomed the opportunity to work together in shaping a qualification process that respects both the Olympic ethos and the realities of cricket in the region.
As Olympic participation is reserved for individual countries, the current structure of West Indies cricket—a collective of multiple nations and territories—creates a significant challenge. However, CWI remains hopeful that the region’s rich sporting legacy and passion for cricket will be taken into account as decisions about Olympic qualification unfold.
