3 hrs ago
Cricket Diplomacy Brings India and Asian Games to Japan
Japan loves baseball, but cricket is still a small sport there.
Soon, India will play Japan in a major Twenty20 cricket match.
This will be Japan’s first game against a full member of the International Cricket Council.
Other strong cricket countries will also play in Japan during the Asian Games.
The Japan Cricket Association has worked for years to grow the sport.
Japanese and Indian officials helped use cricket to strengthen relations between their countries.
Suzuki is supporting the tournament, which may help more people notice cricket.
Japan’s cricket leaders are hopeful, but they do not expect cricket to become as popular as baseball right away.
India will play Japan in a Twenty20 International in Sano on September 22.
The match will be Japan’s first against an International Cricket Council full member.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will compete in the Asian Games cricket tournament.
Japan has 7,300 registered cricket players and 16 cricket grounds.
Government diplomacy, Suzuki sponsorship and Japan Cricket Association efforts helped arrange the events.
- Who
- The Japan Cricket Association, India, Japan, Asian Games organisers and teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
- What
- Japan will host a Twenty20 International against India and an Asian Games cricket competition featuring several major cricket nations.
- Where
- The match will be played in Sano, while the Asian Games competition will be held at a repurposed baseball venue in Nisshin near Nagoya.
- When
- The India-Japan match is scheduled for September 22, with the Asian Games cricket competition taking place in September.
- Why
- The events are intended to promote cricket in Japan and mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India.
JCA Optimism
Realistic Expectations
Impact on Japanese cricket
JCA Optimism
Japan Cricket Association Chief Executive Naoki Alex Miyaji said the match against India could mark the first page of a new era and help cricket flourish.
Realistic Expectations
Miyaji also said one match or competition would not make cricket as popular as baseball or football in Japan.
Venue choice
JCA Optimism
The Japan Cricket Association offered the Sano International Cricket Ground for the Asian Games competition and remains involved in supporting the event.
Realistic Expectations
Local organisers chose to repurpose a baseball stadium in Nisshin to avoid logistical problems.
Key facts
- India-Japan match
- A Twenty20 International in Sano on September 22
- Historical significance
- Japan’s first match against an International Cricket Council full member
- Asian Games teams
- Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are scheduled to compete
- Japan cricket players
- 7,300 registered players
- Cricket grounds
- Japan has 16 cricket grounds
- Women’s ranking
- Japan’s women’s T20 team is ranked 39th worldwide
- Sponsor
- Suzuki is backing the tournament
Quotes
Naoki Alex Miyaji
Chief executive of the Japan Cricket Association
“One match or competition itself won't change anything, and we are certainly not going to think that suddenly it's going to be as popular as baseball or football in Japan.”
telegraphindia.com
“But the match against India is the first page of a new era.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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