The BCCI on Tuesday announced that it will not send either the men’s or the women’s cricket team for this year’s Asian Games in China where the game makes its debut in its Twenty20 format.
The 16th edition of the Games will be held in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27 and the BCCI’s decision means loss of potential medals for the country.
"We would not be able to send our team, both men and women, for the Asian Games in China because of international commitments," the BCCI chief administrative officer, Mr Ratnakar Shetty, told reporters here.
"We have communicated the same to the Indian Olympic Association," he said. Cricket’s debut at the Games was approved at the Olympic Council of Asia’s General Assembly in Kuwait recently and on Monday was the last day to confirm participation. Indian men’s team will have a busy time in November as they host New Zealand for three Tests and five ODIs. This year’s Asian Games will feature 42 disciplines, 14 more than what takes place in the Olympics.
Countries which are expected to send cricket teams for the Games include Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.(PTI)
