New Delhi, October 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Japan’s approach to using the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as a platform to build wider momentum for cricket offers a model for emerging nations seeking to turn major sporting events into long-term opportunities for the game, said Abhiram Singh Yadav, Chairman of Persatuan Cricket Indonesia.
Abhiram, one of the three Associate Members on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC), made the remarks after India retained both the men’s and women’s cricket gold medals at the Asian Games. Pakistan won silver in the men’s competition and bronze in the women’s event, while Sri Lanka secured silver in the women’s competition and bronze in the men’s event.
“Congratulations to India on an outstanding double gold, and to Pakistan and Sri Lanka on their medal-winning campaigns. The competition itself was important for cricket, but there are also lessons from what happened around the Games,” Abhiram told IANS.
He pointed to India’s visit to Japan ahead of the Asian Games as an example of how high-profile international cricket can help accelerate the sport’s growth in emerging markets.
India, the reigning men’s T20 world champions, played Japan at the Sano International Cricket Ground before the Games. The hosts came within two runs of a major upset in a rain-affected five-over match, which drew a record 2,149 spectators for a cricket game in Japan. Tickets for the fixture sold out within hours.
“That is an important example. Global leadership helped create the connection, and Japan then converted that opportunity into something real,” Abhiram said.
He noted that Japan brought together the Asian Games, international cricket, infrastructure, sponsors, government support, media and community engagement rather than treating them as separate opportunities.
Abhiram also called for stronger cricket nations to create more opportunities for Associate and developing countries.
“Rankings have an important competitive purpose, but they should not become walls between cricket nations. They tell us where we are today. They should not decide who we are willing to play tomorrow,” he said.
With cricket set to feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he stressed that sustained opportunities for international competition would be crucial to the sport’s global expansion.
“The next challenge is continuity,” Abhiram said, urging nations to use major tournaments and international visits as opportunities to create more matches, strengthen relationships and develop the game.
“Put rankings aside when the opportunity allows. Play each other, learn from each other and grow together. That is how cricket becomes genuinely global,” he added.
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