The International Cricket Council (ICC) has welcomed the start of construction on the Pomona Cricket Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
The start of construction marks a major milestone as cricket prepares to return to the Olympic Games after a 128-year hiatus.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Fairplex in Pomona on Wednesday.
ICC President Jay Shah said it was a “major milestone” for the sport and its 2.5 billion fans worldwide.
“These are exciting times as cricket takes a huge step towards establishing itself as a global sport. Our focus is on expanding cricket’s footprint. Being part of the Olympics brings both pride and dreams.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone in the return of cricket to the Olympics. This is a proud moment for all ICC members and stakeholders around the world. We are confident that this stadium will take centre stage during the Games and leave a legacy for cricket in the United States,” said Jay Shah.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, said his organisation is focused on expanding cricket globally and its return to the Olympics marks a significant step towards that goal.
“This is a ‘groundbreaking’ moment for both the sport and the Olympics as cricket returns to the Olympic Games. With its inclusion in the Olympic Games and other regional multi-sport events, cricket has already entered a new era of global growth, powered by improved accessibility, high visibility and strong institutional support. Recent ICC events demonstrate that the momentum for our game is stronger than ever, with record stadium attendances as well as broadcast and digital connectivity, coupled with profound cultural and socio-economic impact. Strong participation growth worldwide and the ICC’s recent ‘fan-centric’ efforts to develop key markets further strengthen cricket’s journey to the Olympics,” said Sanjog Gupta.
Other distinguished guests at the groundbreaking ceremony included LA28 Sports Vice President Nicolo Campriani, Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval, Consul General of India in Los Angeles Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore, and Fairplex Chairman and CEO Walter Marquez. The inclusion of cricket in LA28 is seen as a significant opportunity to expand the sport beyond its traditional strongholds and make a meaningful impact in the Americas.
It also provides a platform to inspire more youth to take up the sport and expand its fan base across the continent, accelerating cricket’s global growth.
Being part of the Olympic movement helps to secure more funding and support from many governments, and the gap between traditionally strong teams and the rest has narrowed considerably in recent years.
Sinhala 
English