Sad that top nations have stayed away from Asian Games 2014

Tags: t20, Champions League Twenty20 2014

Published on: Sep 24, 2014

This might very well turn out to be a believe it or not question. Did you know that cricket is one of the sports in the ongoing Asian Games? Yes, cricket matches in the T20 format are indeed being held at the prestigious event.

This might very well turn out to be a believe it or not question. Did you know that cricket is one of the sports in the ongoing Asian Games? Yes, cricket matches in the T20 format are indeed being held at the prestigious event. Wondering why there is no buzz around the same? Well, it is for the simple reason that top nations are not taking part in the event. In fact, except for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, no Test nation is participating in the men's event. There is a competition for women as well, but like always, the female version of the sport hasn't generated any buzz. In short, the event has pretty much been given a cold shoulder by the teams and boards that matter.

It is hugely disappointing that the major teams have decided to skip the multi-sport event. Cricket, as it is, is not a very popular sport apart from the few countries that it is played in. Events like the Asian Games give people involved with the game an opportunity to take the sport to more people, and try to expand the limited fan base of the sport. Unfortunately, those involved in running the sport in various countries don't seem too bothered about the overall growth of cricket as a result of which we have mostly minnows like Bangladesh, Hong Kong and the others in action at the ongoing Games. The rest are more than happy resting on their laurels.

What is highly disheartening about the whole affair is the fact that paucity of time is not the reason big nations have decided to stay away from the sport. In fact, the mediocre Champions League T20 in underway simultaneously even as cricket at the Asian Games struggles for attention. A number of the top T20 players are in action at CLT20. Wouldn't it have been more entertaining had they turned out in team colours at the Asian Games? Imagine another engrossing duel between Virat Kohli and Lasith Malinga. Wouldn't a game between India and Australia have made for better viewing as opposed to Aussies turning out in Indian T20 squads?

Cricket may be a highly popular sport in India and the sub-continent, but it isn't popular all over Asia. This is why teams like Japan, China and Singapore rarely feature in anything related to cricket. Of course, big teams playing in the Asian Games wouldn't have meant cricket's popularity growing overnight. But, a start has to be made somewhere, and the Asian Games was a good opportunity to promote the sport among nations that are not cricket regulars. Sadly, those who could have made an impact blew the same. Had teams like India and Australia taken part with full-strength squads, people would have watched the event for sure.

There are two aspects to the debate in question. One is related to money, and the other pertains to spreading the game. Playing in the CLT20 will make players and boards richer, but participating in the Asian Games would have given a fillip to the image of the game as a multi-sport event. It definitely wouldn't have brought in a lot of money in, which is why most top sides have possibly stayed away. One final question then -- couldn't the boards for a change have put the overall welfare of the sport above money? Couldn't the CLT20 have been scrapped for one year in favour of the Asian Games?

--By A Cricket Analyst

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